Complex structure experimental analysis has always been a huge challenge for researchers. Conventional experimental methods (e.g., strain gauges) give only limited data sets regarding measurement on critical areas with high geometrical discontinuities. A 3D Digital Image Correlation method is an optical method that overcomes the limitations of conventional methods and enables full-field displacement and strain measurement of geometrically complex structures. System Aramis, based on Digital Image Correlation method, is used for experimental analysis and numerical model verification in this paper. Investigated complex structure is sphere/cylinder junction on globe valve housing subjected to axial loading. The highest experimentally measured von Mises strain values around 0.15% are recorded on cylinder/sphere intersection. Von Mises strain values on cylindrical and spherical part are several times smaller than on intersection itself. It is important to emphasize that, to the authors? best knowledge, this is the first paper showing experimental results of 3D full and strain field of geometrically complex structure (sphere/cylinder intersection) on the intersection itself on pressure equipment. It is proven that 3D Digital Image Correlation method is fast and versatile method for recording strain during loading of complex structures.

Standard structural assessments of ship hulls include the evaluation of the elastic structural response. Elastic analysis neglects extreme and unpredicted loadings, which can produce catastrophic outcomes, such as the loss of the ship’s ultimate strength. Moreover, hull elements are considered unaffected by age-related degradation. Therefore, this study models and quantifies the effect of corrosion-induced structural degradation on the ultimate strength of a high-tensile-steel (HTS) cargo ship using progressive collapse and nonlinear finite element methods. Uniform and pitting corrosion are modeled through selected scenarios, which hull elements might encounter during exploitation, producing a total of 148 calculation models. The findings show that corrosion-induced degradation can significantly decrease the ultimate strength of the hull (up to 30% for the most severe scenarios assessed). Furthermore, ultimate strength decreases almost proportionally to the amount of wastage considered. It was found that stiffener corrosion has a significant effect on the total ultimate strength. This study’s aim is to emphasize the vast importance of including ultimate strength along with ageing effects in industry-standard structural assessments of large HTS ship structures, designed to last for several decades whilst exposed to excessive and unpredicted bending moments.

The longitudinal girder (LG) between fuel oil tanks (FOT) and water ballast tanks in the double bottoms of ships represent critical structural parts whose watertight nature could be harmed by corrosion, thus, causing the pollution of water ballast tanks and adjacent areas. The new common structural rules (CSR) define the minimum thickness values of structural elements and corrosion margins. The assessment of the deviations from the prescribed values during ship operation could optimize the prescribed criteria. Assuming that corrosive processes begin after four years of operation, the paper analyzes a linear model that describes the percentage of plate wear as a function of the built-in thickness of LG of FOT. The research included 20 ships and provided the database for 1918 corrosion depth values. The gauging records included the average values of the original thickness of steel plates grouped in three intervals (11–13 mm, 13–15 mm, 15–18 mm). Based on the difference between the built-in and subsequently measured values, the paper analyzes the percentage of thickness reduction due to corrosion, concerning the original plate thickness. The findings of the research should facilitate the optimization of corrosion margins and prevent potential structural collapse and pollution.

Although the International Maritime Organization (IMO) introduced the energy efficiency requirements for ships more than a decade ago, to date, inland navigation has not been affected by corresponding regulations at all. Therefore, inland waterway vessels are left with no mandatory requirements that could push their technology into more energy efficient design. Fortunately, there are certain pioneering attempts to define energy efficiency criteria for inland vessels. This paper tries to gather and provide a review of such methods. Moreover, a typical Danube cargo inland vessel’s data are used to evaluate their current energy efficiency levels with respect to provisional criteria. Consequently, two methods are found and used here. They are both based on IMO’s energy efficiency concept but modified for the inland waterway vessels. The methods delivered a significant difference in applicability and were difficult to compare. Moreover, shallow and deep-water effects are explored in the same regard but provided unsound conclusions. The final results displayed discrepancies in energy efficiency levels for the same vessels and so the methodology should be improved and harmonised, if it is to be introduced as mandatory for inland waterway vessels. The analysis provided a glimpse into the current condition of the traditional design of the Danube inland fleet, with respect to the emerging energy efficiency policies.

Globe valves have widespread application in various industrial sectors. Due to this variety, valve is subjected to different working loads (static, dynamic, thermal etc.) that can cause valve failures. In this paper, the analysis is performed on globe valve subjected to external axial loading caused by pipeline dilatations. Experimental analysis was focused on determining local mechanical properties of critical areas, i.e. on local areas of globe valve housing with high geometrical discontinuities. Experimental analysis and numerical model verification were performed using system Aramis based on Digital Image Correlation method. Using full-field experimental results, numerical model behavior was improved and enabled acquiring more accurate results in transition areas that cannot be found in currently available literature. Determining local mechanical properties of critical areas enables better understanding of complex structures such as valve housing and provides an opportunity for further development and improvement for practical industrial application.