Structural condition-based maintenance for naval vessels: an end-to-end perspective

Abstract

Abstract Structural condition-based maintenance for naval vessels combines onboard monitoring to sense and evaluate the current structural health of a vessel and make projections about the future state, plus a decision framework to determine the optimal moment when maintenance activities should be performed. This paper explores the implementation of structural condition-based maintenance aboard naval vessels in an end-to-end perspective, meaning from conceptualization to defining a baseline ship structural health monitoring sensor system and to linking with a decision framework for making informed maintenance decisions. Beginning with considering the motivations and necessities when operating naval vessels, possible maintenance strategies are defined. Competing motivations based on the relevant stakeholders are discussed, especially related to the desired outcomes of implementing a condition-based maintenance system for hull structural integrity. The major components of a condition-based maintenance system are outlined, focusing on structural damage due to fatigue, corrosion, and extreme loading. Special attention is paid to structural health monitoring and the different sensing techniques required, along with the state-of-the-art research supporting such techniques. Multiple monitoring concepts are explored, focusing on the different ways to monitor the wave environment exciting the vessel and the resulting structural damage. Three selected previous monitoring campaigns and resulting lessons learned offer guidance on a resulting baseline sensor system for structural condition-based maintenance for naval vessels. Specific areas of needed future research are pointed out to further advance structural condition-based maintenance onboard naval vessels.