Abstract: Pressure data are obtained for a ship from sea trials and/or model tests conducted under various environmental (e.g., wave height, wave slam rate) and operational (e.g., ship speed, ship heading) circumstances. The pressure data are grouped into different “cells,” each defined by a unique set of environmental and operational circumstances. As to each cell, the corresponding pressure data are statistically approximated into a two-parameter Weibull distribution so as to obtain a shape parameter and a scale parameter. Additional cells and their corresponding Weibull distributions can be interpolated or extrapolated from existing cells.

Abstract: Low and high frequency components of ship bending loads are computed from sea trial testing data, respectively based on sea statistical properties and geometry of a model ship hull and cyclic wave impact on such model ship hull. The low and high frequency bending load components are combined through an algorithm controlled program to provide a more accurate prediction of cyclic bending loads experienced during the lifetime of a ship hull.

Abstract: A ship has at least one deck which is inventively latticed in a regular (e.g., repeating) geometric pattern of hatches. The hatches of each such inventive deck are shaped in standardized geometric forms and disposed in diagonally contiguous interrelationships, thereby enhancing the structural characteristics of the deck and of the ship, especially in terms of attenuation of warping deflections and resultant stresses.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a hybrid framing system for providing transverse structural support to and a predetermined cargo compartment arrangement for a bulk cargo carrier vessel of the type having a longitudinal midsection for locating cargo compartments. The system includes a hull bottom and port and starboard side walls depending from the hull bottom and defining the vessel midsection, a plurality of liquid-tight transverse bulkheads attached to the bottom and side walls and defining a series of adjoining cargo compartments in the vessel midsection, and a plurality of non-liquid-tight transverse web frames, at least one of the web frames positioned between successive ones of the transverse bulkheads. The bottom and side walls each including an inner hull shell, an outer hull shell, and a plurality of longitudinal support members therebetween.