Current & Ongoing Projects
• 460ton Tug cradle design for transportation from China.
Hull Model – The hull form was required to establish the cradle curvature, angle and dimension restrictions during the design phase. The model was created from pdf linesplans.
Lifting Lugs – MBM selected the strong points, at main bulkheads at frame 11 & frame 49. The lifting lug was designed and lifting commenced.
Cradle Design – The cradle design was an iterative process based on the flow of forces through the structure to the hatch cover. The two designs had to marry together to create a safe working platform for the cargo.
Stoppers – The cargo will remain in position in the y-direction due to the design of the cradle. In the X-direction it was determined a fwd stopper would assist the fwd pitch forces and an aft stopper was needed.
FEA – The design was undertaken at MBM and structural integrity of the cradle was assessed in roll/heave and pitch/heave motions.
Hatch Cover Assessment – Hand calculations and a 2D wire frame were implemented to asses the capability to load this cargo as it has a footprint that exceeds the Tons/m2 rule. The results of the above analysis were presented to a BMT Surveyor for insurance purposes to gain permission to load the cargo.
• 2D wire frame Hatchcovers.
Hatch cover generated for a vessel in 2D FEA Wire frame to assess the structural integrity compared to a simply supported beam theory.
• 220t winch – Europe.
• Numerous Cranes assessed for loading on Hatchcovers.
These included RTG’s rolling on hatchcovers and a bridge to be designed to bridge holds to allow cargo to roll from one hold to another during loading. (look into bbc nordland etc) an FEA was created for BBC Nordland.
• 4 x reels.
These were positioned on the Hatch covers of a vessel with a hatch strength of only 2.5t/m2 without any weight spreading beams. This was achieved by analysing the hatch scantling drawings in detail, along with calculating the vessel motions to determine the forces through the actual members of the hatch to confirm stress within the hatch.
• Greater Gabbard Project.
Onsite operations for Greater Gabbard project – Flour project begins on-sight construction.
Hatch cover structural survey based on scantling drawings provided from ship-owner. To assess the integrity of the hatch cover after many years of work. To assess corrosion, distortion and any issues that may weaken the structure and cause an analysis of the hatch to be in accurate.
Survey of design under construction – The second stage of the project is now underway. The grillage for the Fluor/Greater gabbard project for the offshore wind farm in the UK has begun construction in Denmark. MBM went along to confirm the design and see how development was progressing.
The upright cradle design is becoming very advanced. The “Double stacking” system for middle tower sections is near completion.
• Class approved calculations to raise Tweendeck.
The calculations of raising the tweendecks to allow an oversized cargo to be stowed in the lower hold was successfully completed. The following cargo was to be loaded onto the tweendeck was the main concern as this cargo would instigate the forces on to the raised tweendeck and the designed supports.
• Solution for excessive Tons/M2 without weight-spread steel.
The weight spreading of cargos included Generators for Siemens on tweendecks where no steel was required.
• 2 x Macchi Boilers were loaded on Heavy lift vessel.
The Macchi boilers were analysed. A graphical representation of the footprint was provided by MBM to improve awareness and safety during the loading scenario. This method is now incorporated on many projects.
• Windmill project –
A weight spreading system was introduced to allow the Campana class of BBC Chartering & logistics to carry 51 windmill blades on her hatches. These were discharged with the structure left in place, hatches opened to enable the discharge of the lower cargo hold. Then the vessel returned for multiple voyages using the same structure. This saved the client time in port, and expense for each voyage.
Topics of interest
Academic links
MBM BROCHURE
