SOME CONSIDERATIONS ON THE DESIGN OF SPLIT HOPPER DREDGERS

As the size of split hopper dredgers has increased, the need to operate in demanding conditions has raised various technical problems which are associated with the ship's longitudinal strength, load on hinges and cylinders, and tightness of hopper seal. In particular, the problem of how to estimate the dynamic forces acting on hinges and hydraulic cylinders due to the ship's motions in waves. The solutions to these are discussed. .