Current & Ongoing Projects

Welcome to our collection of project briefs, where we will take you through some of the exciting and ongoing projects we have been working on recently. Firstly, we have designed a 460-ton tug cradle for transportation from China, and now we have moved onto the next stage of construction. Secondly, we have conducted a structural survey of hatch covers for the Greater Gabbard project to assess their integrity after years of use. Moreover, we have also been involved in the construction of the grillage for the Fluor/Greater Gabbard project in Denmark, and we are pleased to announce that it is progressing smoothly. Lastly, our team has been working on the upright cradle design for the offshore wind farm in the UK, and the “Double stacking” system for middle tower sections is near completion. Keep reading to learn more about our expertise in areas such as cradle design, lifting lugs, hatch cover assessments, and much more.

• 460ton Tug cradle design for transportation from China – Project Brief.

Hull Model – Firstly, the hull form was required to establish the cradle curvature, angle, and dimension restrictions during the design phase. To create the hull model, pdf linesplans were utilized.

Lifting  Lugs – Next, MBM selected the strong points at main bulkheads at frame 11 & frame 49. After selecting the strong points, 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. As a result, the two designs had to marry together  to create a safe working platform for the cargo.

Stoppers  – To ensure the cargo remained in position in the y-direction, the cradle design was deemed sufficient. However, it was determined that an aft stopper was needed in the X-direction to assist with the aft pitch forces, and a forward stopper was needed to counter the forward pitch forces.

FEA  – MBM then undertook the design and structural integrity assessment of the cradle in roll/heave and pitch/heave motions using Finite Element Analysis.

Hatch Cover Assessment – In order to assess the capability to load the cargo, hand calculations and a 2D wire frame were implemented as the cargo’s footprint exceeded the Tons/m2 rule. Subsequently, the results of the above analysis were presented to a BMT Surveyor for insurance purposes, which was necessary to gain permission to load the cargo.

(see project & pictures)

• 2D wire frame Hatchcovers – Project brief.

Hatch cover generated for a vessel in 2D FEA Wire frame to assess the structural integrity compared to a simply supported beam theory.

(see project & pictures)

• 220t winch – Europe.
• Numerous Cranes assessed for loading on Hatchcovers – Project brief.

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.

(see project & pictures)

• 4 x reels – Project brief.

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.

(see project & pictures)

• Greater Gabbard Project – Project brief.

Onsite operations for Greater Gabbard project – Flour project begins on-sight construction.

To assess the integrity of the hatch cover after many years of work, a hatch cover structural survey was conducted based on scantling drawings provided from the ship-owner. This survey aimed to identify any corrosion, distortion, or other issues that may weaken the structure and cause an analysis of the hatch to be inaccurate.

Survey of design under construction – As the second stage of the project is now underway, a survey of the design under construction has been initiated. The grillage for the Fluor/Greater Gabbard project for the offshore wind farm in the UK has begun construction in Denmark. To confirm the design and assess the progress of the development, MBM went along to conduct a survey.

The upright cradle design is becoming very advanced. The “Double stacking” system for middle tower sections is near completion.

(see project & pictures)

• Class approved calculations to raise Tweendeck – Project brief.

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.

(see project & pictures)

• Solution for excessive Tons/M2 without weight-spread steel – Project brief.

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 – Project brief.

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.

(see project & pictures)

• Windmill project Brief

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.

(see project & pictures)