DESIGN AND MODEL TEST OF STRUCTURAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT SYSTEM FOR TRIMARAN

Sa？etak Due to the unique structural design of multihull, the structural response on trimaran is often more complex than the response of monohull in navigation. In order to ensure the safety of trimaran navigation and predict the potential damage of local structure, the structure monitoring technology is applied. According to the structural characteristics of trimaran, structural monitoring and assessment system for multihull is designed and introduced in detail, and corresponding model test is taken to demonstrate its effectiveness. The self-propelled trimaran model is installed with sensors in different longitudinal positions to monitor the variety of structural responses in irregular waves. And three real-time structural strength assessment methods in the system are used respectively to indicate the structural state about hull longitudinal strength, local yielding strength and fatigue strength. The influence of different wave azimuths and monitoring positions on structural strength assessment is analysed. Finally, these measured data and analyses results will provide technical support for design and installation of the monitoring system on actual trimaran