Optimal Strategies for Inspection of Ships for Fatigue and Corrosion Damage

摘要

Structural inspections of large ships are difficult and costly because of the211u001esheer size of the task in terms of the area of structure to be inspected. This 211u001ereport reviews and discussed the three fundamental elements of inspections: where 211u001eto inspect, what to inspect, and when to inspect. By closely examining each of 211u001ethese elements, a systematic approach has been developed. First, a priority 211u001eassessment methodology has been developed to rank structural details 211u001equantitatively and define the critical areas for where and when to inspect. The 211u001emethodology is formulated on the basis of a probabilistic risk-based inspection 211u001estrategy. Second, an inferencing methodology is developed to determine the extent 211u001eof the structural area that is to be inspected. Third, a fracture mechanics 211u001emethodology and corrosion rate prediction strategy are applied to determine 211u001einspection frequency. This systematic approach should provide the basis for 211u001edeveloping optimal inspection methodology that could enhance the current practice 211u001eand produce high quality inspections at minimum cost.