ClassNK has released v5.0 of its PrimeShip-HULL structural assessment software packages with new features for calculating the structural and direct strength requirements of tankers and bulk carriers.
This latest release reaches fruition as shipyards and designers are looking for ways to more easily address the design issues raised by new regulations, in particular IACS’ Common Structural Rules (CSR).
The Japanese class society’s Toshiyuki Shigemi who oversaw the development of v5.0 notes that while CSR and other new regulations have helped usher in a new era of safer ships, calculating the requirements for structural members has become a more and more difficult process. ‘ PrimeShip-HULL is specifically designed to meet that challenge. And v5.0 is without a doubt the most powerful and the most usable version ever developed ,’ he says.
A Rules variant is honed for performing structural evaluations using the scantling formulae defined in the IACS CSR. Version 5.0 is available in both tanker and bulk carrier flavours and boasts an improved user interface, which is said to make the calculation results easier to interpret.
Meanwhile a DSA variant – for direct strength assessment calculations (as defined by CSR) – automatic identifies structural members and compartments before carrying out a finite element analysis to complete the number-crunching.
( imarest )
[mappress]
Source: Imarest , July 8, 2011; Image: classnk