Hull Stress Monitoring

Hull stress monitoring measures hull-girder loads in service using strain gauges (long-base optical or electrical) at deck amidships, plus accelerometers and a bow-mounted pressure or motion sensor, to warn the master of bending-moment and slamming levels approaching design limits. SOLAS regulation XII/11 requires a loading instrument and, for certain bulk carriers, a hull-stress monitoring capability; class societies grant HSM (hull stress monitoring) notations for the installed system. It is standard on large bulk carriers, very large ore carriers, and container ships, where green-water and whipping loads in heavy weather can drive structural fatigue and cargo-hold flooding.