Design, installation and repair of hull sensors for the measurement of hull slamming pressure loads on Armidale Class Patrol Boats

摘要

HMAS Maryborough is one of thirteen active vessels in the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Armidale Class Patrol Boat (ACPB) fleet, which differ from other RAN vessels due to their aluminium construction. As part of an aluminium structural research program DSTO has installed a sensor system on HMAS Maryborough and this system was recently enhanced to include the measurement of pressure exerted on the hull during slamming events. As such, nine pressure sensors were permanently mounted in the forward hull section of the vessel. This paper details the design and installation of the nine hull penetrations, the fitment and testing of the nine pressure sensors and the removal and replacement of one of the pressure sensors following its failure. Sensor failure modes and improvements to the sensor design are also discussed.