Abstract
This paper provides procedures to effectively determine arrangement of hydraulic type top-bracings, which are popular for the main engine of the mid and large sized commercial vessels. Analyzing the operation mechanism of hydraulic top-bracing, ideal unified nonlinear stiffness curve is presented for linear frequency response analysis and nonlinear transient response analysis. Nonlinear stiffnesses of the curve are determined based on the regression analysis of test results. It is noted from linear frequency response analysis, initial setting pressure is most important among the setting values of the other stiffness intervals. From transient response analyses for two top-bracing arrangement scenarios, it is recognized that, as far as initial setting pressure is well controlled for the concerning vessels, only two top-bracings are enough to suppress H-mode excitation forces from main engine.
