Comparative Structural Life Assessment of Patrol Boat Bottom Plating

Abstract

The estimation of an absolute life expectancy of a structure is a complex process and the results are expected to have relatively large levels of uncertainty. In this study, a comparative analysis is undertaken between two different patrol boats. This is an approach which results in a higher confidence level because certain factors common to both boats can be eliminated by assuming them to be at constant normal levels. The study is limited to the critical forward bottom plating and takes into account the differences in material, plate dimensions, operational profile, structure and loading of the two vessels. Two failure modes, plastic plate deformation and fatigue, are considered, and a novel approach to plate wastage is included. Many factors affect the structural life of a vessel. They include structural type, operational profile, structural details, loads, inspection and maintenance, design methods, safety factors, corrosion, and environmental factors. There are three types of uncertainty associated with these factors; namely, physical randomness, statistical uncertainties, and model uncertainties. The method described is designed to address these uncertainties. The objective of the paper is to present the reliability-based structural life assessment method, and then to use it to evaluate and compare the structural performance of the forward bottom plating of the two patrol boats. The results of the evaluation are presented in the form of graphs and tables in order to facilitate the comparative evaluation. The method is performed within a computer-based format which allows parametric sensitivity analysis of several variables including the size of the plating panel, thickness, operational profile and loading. The sensitivity of the structural life expectancy of the forward bottom plating to variations in these parameters is evaluated.