Abstract
The characteristics of wave induced pressure fluctuation and local stresses on the hull side of VLCCs have been investigated, since considerable number of fatigue cracks were found on side longitudinals of second generation VLCCs. This paper describes summarized results of full scale measurement on a typical second generation VLCC which was carried out aiming at understanding the long-term characteristics of working stresses on longitudinal members and wave pressure acting near the load water line. The findings made from the present study are as follows: (1) The actual condition of wave pressure fluctuation and working stresses on the hull side of the VLCC was revealed through the full scale measurement. (2) The prevalent estimation method based on strip method well explained the short-term characteristics of measured wave pressure. (3) Discrete Analysis Method (DISAM for short) was found to be effective for the evaluation of local stresses of structural members where various load elements act mutually.
