STABILITY OF BULK MINERAL CARGOES

One of the hazards of transportation of damp mineral concentrates or similar fine-grained cargoes is the possibility of the cargo shifting. This is associated with moisture contents in excess of some critical limit in relation to the prevailing conditions. In this situation the stimulus of the ship's motion, particularly in heavy seas, may cause what appears to be a relatively dry granular material to develop into an unstable fluid mass. This may result in a shift of cargo, as a result of which the vessel may progressively reach a dangerous heel and eventually capsize. A number of casualties have been attributed to this in recent years. The phenomenon of liquefaction, methods of testing and the behavior of materials under simulated shipboard conditions are considered.

  • Corporate Authors:

    Institution of Mining & Metallurgy

    44 Portland Place
    London W1N 4BR,   England 
  • Authors:
    • Green, P V
    • Hughes, T H
  • Publication Date: 1977-10

Media Info

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00174255
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Engineering Index
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: May 31 1978 12:00AM