In this paper the results are reported of sixty-nine lateral collision tests, which were performed to investigate the collision resistance of plates. For the tests a collision testing machine of spring-roller conveyer type was designed and fabricated. Using this machine, various plates were tested with different masses and velocities and various headers of the striker. A simple analytical method has also been developed to predict the extent of damage of struck plates due to lateral collision. In the method, it is assumed that the kinetic energy of the striker can be dissipated by the formation of yield lines and membrane tensions in the impacted plate. The calculated predictions of extent of damage using the developed method have been substantiated with the test results, which shows reasonably acceptable correlations.

In this paper, the motion responses with hydrodynamic interaction effect between two off-shore floating structures in various heading waves are studied by using a linearized three-dimensional potential theory. Numerical calculations using three-dimensional pulsating source distribution techniques have been carried out for twelve coupled linear motion responses and relative motions of the barge and the ship in oblique waves. The computational results give a good correlation with the experimental results and also with other numerical results. As a result, the present computational tool can be used effectively to predict the motion responses of multiple offshore floating structures in waves.

Yaw-checking and course-keeping ability in IMO's ship rnanoeuvrability standards is reviewed from the viewpoint of safe navigation. Three kinds of virtual series-ships, which have different course instability, are taken as test models. The numerical simulation on Z-test is carried out in order to examine the correlation between known manoeuvrability in spiral characteristics and various kinds of overshoot angle. Then simulator experiments are executed with series-ships in a curved, narrow waterway by five pilots in order to examine the correlation between known manoeuvrability and degree of manoeuvring difficulty. IMO criteria for yaw-checking and course-keeping ability are discussed and new criteria are proposed.

A series of detailed study was performed to identify the sources of the propeller blade failure and resolve the problem systematically, by use of the theoretical tools and by the direct measurement and observation in the full-scale sea trials. The selection of inexperienced propulsion control system with a reversible gear system is shown to cause the serious damage to the propeller blades in crash astern maneuver, when the rotational direction of the propeller is changed rapidly. Quasi-steady analysis for propeller blade strength using FEM code in bollard backing condition indicates that the safety factor should be order of 18∼20 to avoid the structural failure for the selected propeller geometry and reduction gear system.