Experimental study on impact damage of membrane-type LNG carrier cargo containment system due to dropped objects

ABSTRACT

This study experimentally investigates the structural damage characteristics of a membrane-type LNGC CCS due to impacts arising from a dropped object, such as a pipe support or bolt and nut assembly. A series of impact tests was carried out with a full-scale LNGC CCS that included primary barriers, plywood panels, reinforced poly-urethane foam panels, and secondary barriers, to take into account the effect of the geometry and structural damping. A gun-type impact test machine was used to achieve an impact velocity corresponding to the free fall of the dropped object from a height of 27 m. The insights and conclusions developed in the present study will be useful in terms of experimental techniques used to measure impact damage on membrane-type LNGC CCS due to dropped objects, and also for developing design guidance based on the accidental limit state in this area.

KEYWORDS:

• Accidental limit state
• impact damage
• experimental study
• membrane-type LNG carrier cargo containment system

Acknowledgements

The study was undertaken at the Korea Ship and Offshore Research Institute at Pusan National University which has been a Lloyd’s Register Foundation Research Centre of Excellence.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.