Standardizing the operation of floating dredges

Abstract

A dredge is an earth excavating and moving machine. Its working process consists of two basic operations: the excavation of soil in an underwater cut with the simultaneous preparation of a water--soil mixture and the transport of this mixture to the point where the soil is being placed. Dredge productivity is measured as the product of the quantity of soil per unit volume of water--soil mixture and the volume of this mixture placed per unit time [i, 2]. To design a rational system for the standardization of dredging operations, it is necessary to consider factors on which the values of these cofactors depend. In problems involving standardization, it is apparently inexpedient to consider certain factors that characterize the technical level of operation and affect dredge productivity. One should proceed on the following assumptions: the dredging crew is well qualified, the dredge is in good condition and is provided with a standard line of interchangeable replacement parts, a steady supply of electric power is available, and the auxiliary operations are performed at an adequately high level of mechanization. All factors affecting dredge productivity can be divided into two groups: basic and supplementary.