Floating Membrane Supertankers: Are They Feasible?

by P. G. Glockner, Univ of Calgary, Canada,
W. Szyszkowski, Univ of Calgary, Canada,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures (ACI 530-88/ASCE 5-88) and Specifications for Masonry Structures (ACI 530.1-88/ASCE 6-88) (ACI 530.1-88/ASCE 6-88)

Abstract:

Optimal shapes of long cylindrical membrane containers are obtained by restricting the circumferential membrane stress to be tensile and constant throughout the tanker. Optimality is achieved through a kind of 'self-adjustment' of the shape to variation in resultant pressure acting on the membrane with high pressures being neutralized by larger curvatures while regions of low pressure lead to relatively flat portions of the profile. The analysis uses an Eulerian formulation and is carried out for a specified circumference and particular values of density ratio and 'volume efficiency ratio'. Results indicate that such optimization leads to drastic reductions in circumferential membrane stress resultant magnitudes and associated stiffness requirements.

Subject Headings: Membranes | Tensile structures | Optimization models | Freight transportation | Feasibility studies | Container shipping | Waterways

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