Research on dynamic design of ships
Merchant vessels are getting bigger and bigger, but what if their weight and the amount of steel required to build them could be reduced? It may be possible to optimise the design to reduce the weight and quantity of steel and thereby lower the cost of building and operating the ship. This will make transports more energy efficient and reduce the environmental impact on the sea, and might also lead to reduced costs for the shipowners when building the ship. More research is needed to ensure that lighter hulls satisfy requirements in terms of strength, sea characteristics, environmental requirements and maritime safety.
According to a pre-study conducted in 2016, dimensional regulations do not fully take into account the interaction between wave loads and the ship’s dynamic response. There is uncertainty as to whether the safety margins are sufficient or unnecessarily conservative, which may lead to vessels being oversized and having a higher energy consumption and environmental impact.
SSPA together with Chalmers University of Technology, the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) and Stena Teknik has been conducting joint research on methods of dynamic ship dimensioning and the understanding of dynamic loads on ships since March 2017.
During this project, a vessel model has been manufactured that is equipped to measure structural loads. Model wave tests will also be performed, and numerical calculations will be validated against the model wave tests. Stena’s concept vessel Stena Elektra has been chosen as a model vessel. The project will be completed at the end of 2018.
Contacts
Tailored model tests for hull structural dynamics
SSPA has developed techniques for analysis of ship hull structural dynamics over several years. We decided to share this information and join forces with several partners to develop knowledge, and a new research project was formed and led by SSPA. This resulted in an accurate model testing technique, know-how to carry out this kind of model testing and insights into possibilities to develop further important techniques to support this important area of technology.
Dynamic design of ships
There is a big potential in optimising the construction of ships by reducing weight and steel. Transports can become more energy efficient and reduce the environmental impact at sea. To find out more, a pre-study was conducted in 2016 and now a collaboration is established. SSPA together with Chalmers, KTH and Stena Teknik will conduct research on methods for dynamic ship dimensioning and the understanding of dynamic loads on ships will be able to enhance. Stena's concept vessel Stena Elektra is chosen as a model vessel.