Numerical simulation of the flow about self-propelling tanker models

A time-marching CFD simulation is performed for self-propelling ships. The flow about the hull is simulated by the finite-volume method, and the propeller action is approximated as a propeller disk for which the solution is given by a simplified propeller model. The interaction of two flow models is treated in a time-marching procedure converging towards the steady self-propelling condition. This method is applied to five tanker models, and detailed comparisons are made between the simulated results and corresponding experimental results. It is shown that the flow field in the self-propelling condition is qualitatively well reproduced in the simulation, and the estimated thrust deduction factors for the five hull forms agree well with measured ones. However, the effective wake factors are underestimated, since the Reynolds number in the simulations differs from that in the experiment.     

Fuzzy Control of Clutch Engagement for Automated Manual Transmission

This paper presents a fuzzy control system for the clutch engagement of an automated manual transmission. The servomechanism is assembled with a three-port pneumatic pressure-proportional valve and a position-sensing cylinder which control the release-lever displacement of 25 mm within the position preciseness of 0.1 mm against maximum spring load of 2kN. The fuzzy system is skillful to estimate the driver's will from the accelerator pedal operation. The servomechanism is mounted on a commercial vehicle with 4-ton pay-load. The system parameters are set up by bond graphs simulation and empirical performance tests are carried by using an oil-hydraulically operated engine-vehicle testing rig with a maximum torque capacity of 400 Nm.     

Active control for installation of underwater structures

The trend towards deepwater development requires a new approach to underwater installation of offshore structures. The present method using crane vessels has some drawbacks in operations at more than 2000 m depth. The natural period of the coupled system of the rigged structure and the crane vessel becomes longer, so that it is no longer possible to manipulate the cranes to achieve the desired positioning accuracy. This paper examines the application of an active control technique for underwater installations as one of the solutions to the present problems. An active control technique also has the advantage that it can deal with the structural flexibility which allows the structure to be large and light-weight. This structural flexibility imposes problems of suppressing the elastic responses and securing the stability of the control system. In this paper, anH _∞ controller combined with a low authority control/high authority control (LAC/HAC) feedback controller is designed for cases where structural flexibility cannot be ignored. A robust model-following controller is examined for cases where the structure can be treated as rigid. In order to confirm the control algorithm and verify the possibility of the active control installation method, basin tests are executed using two types of neutrally buoyant flexible models with ultrasound ranging systems and thrusters.     

A consideration of the structural design of a large-scale floating structure

The land area of Japan, especially flat land, is very small compared with its economic size. Large-scale floating structures are one solution to satisfy the demand for space by utilizing the ocean. This paper presents a general view of the dynamic response characteristics of large-scale floating structures, pontoons and semi-submersibles. For example, it is shown that the natural frequencies of eigenmodes are higher than the natural frequency of heaving motion. The response of the outer framework of a structure is shown to be generally larger than the response of the central part. Within the limits of our present understanding of the general dynamic response characteristics of such structures, the design and analysis of semi-submersible, large-scale floating structures is discussed. For a pontoon-type large-scale floating structure, a type whose perimeter structure has been modified to become lighter and more rigid is proposed. With this modification, the dynamic response of the whole structure is imporved.     

Numerical investigation of turbulence near a sheared air–water interface. Part 1: Turbulence statistics beneath a flat water surface sheared by wind

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) and large eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent shear flow beneath a flat water surface with imposed wind shear stress are presented. The results of DNS indicate that there are clear differences, and also similarities, between wind-driven flow and the flow near a solid wall. The qualitative structures of turbulence are similar in both types of flow. Low-speed streaks are also present in wind-driven flow. On the other hand, profiles of the mean velocity and turbulence intensities in wind-driven flow are significantly different from those in flow near a solid wall. The differences are attributed to the lack of a viscous sublayer, and to the boundary condition which allows fluctuations of the tangential velocity components at the boundary. LES of the same flow was also carried out to evaluate subgrid-scale models. It was shown that the features of the flow observed in DNS are well simulated by all models tested, and that the discrepancies between DNS and LES with the dynamic mixed model are very small. Received: August 17, 2000 / Accepted: December 22, 2000     

Numerical simulation of three-dimensional breaking waves

Three-dimensional (3D) wave breaking around bodies of complex geometry has been numerically investigated by use of two types of Navier-Stokes solvers, namely the finite-difference and the finite-volume methods employing rectangular and curvilinear coordinate systems, respectively. Both methods employ the density-function technique to capture the free surface location and can cope with complicated free surface configurations such as breaking waves. The accuracy of the density-function method is examined through the comparison with experimental results, and it is confirmed to be satisfactory when the grid spacing and the time increment are sufficiently small. New computational methods are applied to several problems including 3D breaking waves around ships and wave diffraction around offshore structures. The computed results show good agreement with experimental results indicating that wave breaking phenomena are successfully simulated. The qualitative accuracy, however, could be improved by including the dissipating effect of breaking waves.     

Evaluation of consequence assessment methods for pool fires on water involving large spills from liquefied natural gas carriers

This article concerns thermal radiation hazards associated with unconfined liquefied natural gas (LNG) spills on water. Consequence assessment methods were compared to clarify their model characteristics in large-scale LNG spills from an LNG carrier (LNGC). The consequences of LNG release, pool spread, and pool fire hazards were estimated using the following practical methods: the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) method, the Sandia National Laboratories’ method, and the Fay method. The sensitivity of consequence analysis results to the breach size of a tank was examined under the assumption that LNG is released from a common type LNGC of 125000 m³ cargo capacity. Consequently, it was found that the FERC method is useful from the practical viewpoint of being applicable to any breach size. Finally, thermal radiation hazards from pool fires involving spills from one of the latest and largest LNGCs (250 000 m³ cargo capacity), which are currently considered for construction, were investigated using the recommended FERC method, and the results are discussed in comparison with those for common type LNGCs. As a result, it was found that the maximum thermal hazard distance is longer by only about 24% compared with the common type LNGC, whereas the spill volume is twice as much.     

On the vibrational characteristics of a two-tier scaled container stack

It is estimated that around 10,000 containers are lost during maritime transportation every year, representing an economic loss to the liner industry. Regulations and norms used to calculate values to secure them to the ship’s deck account for static loads only, neglecting more realistic conditions. This paper describes an approach to simulate a two-tier scaled model of a 20-ft ISO freight container and its linking connectors, denominated twist locks, subject to a dynamical load induced by its base. To analyze this problem two methods were employed: a shaking table test and finite-element analysis. Results of this study indicate that the numerical model built to simulate two-tier container stack dynamics is a promising tool for further studies. Moreover, the model is able to predict conditions close to real situations faced by container stacks while stored on deck.     

Development of a finite element modeling system for ship structures

In ship structural design, many structural analyses by the finite element method are carried out on models at several different scale levels; for example, a whole ship, cargo hold parts, and detailed structures. However, one serious problem with this design and analysis process is that the generation of the finite element models for a complex configuration is very difficult and laborious. To overcome this problem, an object oriented, finite element modeling system, MODIFY, has been developed by the authors. In this paper, the concept of the finite element modeling system and the techniques for the construction of the system are explained. First, the object oriented data structure of the system, based on the Part-Object concept, is proposed. In this concept, not only the geometry of the domain but also the analytical conditions, such as boundary conditions and material properties, and the finite element model, are represented by the object oriented data structure. By using this data structure, effective finite element model generation can be expected. Second, a mesh generation algorithm based on the frontal method is described. The original frontal method by S.H. Lo was improved for application to three-dimensional curved surfaces. A new inner node placement technique to make quadrilateral elements around stress concentrated areas is also proposed. These techniques are suitable for ship structures, and more accurate results from the finite element analysis can be expected. Moreover, the parallel mesh generation is implemented in MODIFY by using the client-server concept to accelerate mesh generation. Third, a prototype system for the automatic finite element model generation for different analysis levels is proposed. The system is based on the concept of the PD part, which is the part in the design and production stage, and automatic computing of the intersection between PD parts. The validity of this system is demonstrated by some examples.     

A behavioral analysis of freight mode choice decisions

This paper develops a behavioral analysis of freight mode choice decisions that could provide a basis for an acceptable analytical tool for policy assessment. The paper specifically examines the way that truck and rail compete for commodity movement in the US. Two binary mode choice models are introduced in which some shipment-specific variables (e.g. distance, weight and value) and mode-specific variables (e.g. haul time and cost) are found to be determinants. The specifications of the non-selected choice are imputed in a machine learning module. Shipping cost is found to be a central factor for rail shipments, while road shipments are found to be more sensitive to haul time. Sensitivity of mode choice decisions is further analyzed under different fuel price fluctuation scenarios. A low level of mode choice sensitivity is found with respect to fuel price, such that even a 50% increase in fuel cost does not cause a significant modal shift between truck and rail.