KR and HD Hyundai Samho, in collaboration with each other, have developed a new program to improve the structural safety assessment process during the partial launch of ships. This method, which allows shipbuilding to utilize dock capacity more efficiently, is specifically designed for the construction of high-capacity ships such as VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier).
Advantages of Partial Launch
Partial launch is a shipbuilding method in which a ship is launched into the water before its complete construction, with remaining work done later. This method allows shipbuilders to achieve greater productivity from the dock and manage construction schedules with more flexibility.
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However, one of the challenges of this method is that the weight and buoyancy distribution of the hull may differ from that of the completed ship. Therefore, a thorough structural safety assessment is essential to ensure the proper performance of the hull during launch. Until now, engineers had to create separate models for structural analysis that did not include uninstalled structures.
The New Program and Its Application
The newly developed program automates this process. It starts with a structural analysis model of the complete ship and automatically considers uninstalled structures, producing an analytical model that reflects the actual construction status of the ship at the time of partial launch. This allows engineers to calculate loads and buoyancy based on changes in hull weight and trim, enabling faster and more efficient structural safety assessments.
In this project, HD Hyundai Samho provided the necessary data for program development, including partial launch scenarios and loading conditions based on actual shipbuilding operations. KR then developed functions based on direct strength analysis using this information to assess the loads on the hull and evaluate its safety and structural integrity.
Subsequently, HD Hyundai Samho implemented this program on a real ship to validate its practical capabilities in the field. This program is expected to reduce the time required for structural safety assessment during partial launch and provide greater flexibility in dock operations and shipbuilding schedules.
