A METALLURGIST LOOKS AT RELIABILITY IN MARINE STRUCTURES

After an introduction in which the reliability of <mainly> ship structures, i.e. their resistance to catastrophic failure and their freedom from maintenance difficulties due to cracks and corrosion, is discussed in general terms, the Author (of Metallurgical Consulting> considers these reliability problems and their avoidance in the light of experience on the Gulf Coast of the U.S.A. Among the aspects discussed <some very briefly> are: effect of size upon material properties; some drawbacks of heat-treated 4340 and other steels; fracture toughness; selection of high-strength materials <the middle-strength HY 80 and HY 140 steels have the best combinations of strength and fracture toughness in relation to weight>; environmental embrittlement; stainless steels and their stress-corrosion, metallurgical "sensitisation", and pitting problems; some problems of non-ferrous metals; problems associated with welding <these are generally due to inadequate design or to inadequate welding procedures>; flaws in weldments; increasing importance of weld procedure with higher alloy-content and increased thickness; welding of aluminium; notches in or near weldments. The Author mentions that the information given is intended to call attention to problems that are frequently encountered, and concludes with a short discussion on Design for Reliability, a realistic approach that recognises and allows for the shortcomings of today's technology.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Soc. N.A.M.E. <Gulf Section>, Paper presented 27 July 1978 (16 pp.)
• Authors:
  • Clarke, C K
• Publication Date: 1978

Language

• English

Subject/Index Terms

• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00683169
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Maritime Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 14 1995 12:00AM