Monitoring of ship damage condition during stranding

This study proposes a new procedure for the estimation of stranding forces and their contact positions. The method is based on the measurement of a few characteristic on-site parameters, i.e., the draughts and bending moments acting on a stranded ship. A procedure that estimates penetration into the ship bottom based on knowledge of the resistance versus penetration relationship is also presented. The seabed topology is parameterized by a paraboloid. This geometry can, in principle, characterize a wide range of obstructions, from sharp rocks to large shoals. Nonlinear finite element analysis is used to simulate various stranding situations and to generate the corresponding resistance versus penetration curves. The present method provides insight into the identification of real stranding scenarios in terms of the location of obstructions, their possible shapes and the corresponding resistance-penetration curves. The proposed methodology represents a first step towards a tool for quick decision making during salvage operations. The ultimate goal is to allow near real-time prediction of the risk of penetration into cargo tanks and hull girder failure. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, it is applied to a simulated trial stranding scenario.