Japan: Hiroshima University, Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Win 2012 Research Paper Award

The research paper on “Lateral vibration of a rising anchor chain” based on “Discovery of an anchor chain’s swirling phenomenon” which Graduate School of Engineering at Hiroshima University and Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. collaborated on has won a 2012 Research Paper Award by The Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers.

This paper was evaluated and received an award for its dramatic revelation of a swirling phenomenon which was not clear and showed preventive measures, and it was a good example of cooperation between industry and academia, achieving good results for Hiroshima University and Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Company.

This anchor chain’s swirling phenomenon had been researched since 2007 to resolve a problem caused when the anchor chain swings inside the chain locker and damages the locker wall during anchoring. The two companies analyzed data by introducing the model test machine which can replicate the same phenomenon on an actual ship, and learned that the chain’s length and the anchoring speed affect each other and sympathetic vibrations generate the swirling phenomenon. As a preventive measure, the paper suggested the prevention of swirling phenomenon by lengthening the chain pipe to make the chain seem shorter, and minimizing the lateral vibration amplitude to prevent sympathetic vibration. Reducing the risk of damage to the locker wall contributes to higher quality shipbuilding. This award is given for research paper, invention, or to an engineer who/which contributes to the development of maritime industries through new developments in technology or academic achievements in the field of naval architecture and ocean engineering. The award ceremony was held at Kobe City Industrial Development Center.

In 2004, Hiroshima University and Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Company concluded a comprehensive collaborative research treaty to co-develop technologies for environmental preservation and the design and building of ships.

Experiment of anchoring a chain was performed 10-50 times per condition, by changing the chain pipe length and raising chain speed.

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Source: tsuneishi, August 7, 2012