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Analysis of Strength, Fatigue, and Vibration in Marine Structures

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A special issue of Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (ISSN 2077-1312). This special issue belongs to the section "Ocean Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 3650

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Joško Parunov

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: ship structures; wave loads; strength and vibration analysis; fatigue analysis; structural reliability analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Dr. Yordan Garbatov

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Centre for Marine Technology and Ocean Engineering (CENTEC), Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
Interests: ship and offshore structures; lifecycle assessment; reliability and risk; renewable energy; energy efficiency; environmental, societal, and economic impact
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We propose a Special Issue (SI) that covers a wide range of topics related to the static and dynamic analyses of various marine structures. This includes ships, both floating and fixed offshore structures, submarines, fish farms, and renewable energy devices. We invite submissions that include analytical, numerical, and experimental studies, as well as reviews of the current state of the art and benchmark studies focused on strength, fatigue, vibration, and noise prediction analyses.

Contributions that showcase advanced applications of structural analysis in the design, maintenance, repair, lifetime extension, and requalification of marine structures are especially encouraged. Additionally, submissions involving multi-physics and multi-scale simulations, such as thermo-mechanical, hydro-elastic, and fracture mechanics analyses, are highly suitable for this collection.

We will ensure a rapid review process and provide open-access publication for high-quality papers submitted to this special issue.

Prof. Dr. Joško Parunov
Prof. Dr. Yordan Garbatov
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

marine structures
ships
floating and fixed offshore structures
submarines
fish farms
renewable energy devices
multi-physics and multi-scale simulations
static and dynamic analyses

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

44 pages, 2510 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Fatigue Crack Growth Prediction and Machine Learning Correction for Deepwater Risers

by Fucheng Wang, Yong Yang, Baolei Cui and Di Wang

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(9), 768; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14090768 - 22 Apr 2026

Viewed by 157

Abstract

Under long-term marine environmental loading, deep-water risers are highly susceptible to fatigue damage, and the accumulation of local damage may lead to global structural failure. In this study, the fatigue damage mechanism and crack growth behavior of a girth-welded riser are systematically investigated. Full-scale radial fatigue test results of risers are referenced, and the experimental process is reproduced through numerical simulation. A finite element model of a girth-welded riser is established. The fatigue crack growth process is subsequently simulated, yielding the crack propagation path and crack growth rate curves. By comparison with experimental results, the characteristics of the crack growth process are analyzed, and the feasibility and accuracy of numerical simulations in predicting fatigue crack growth in riser girth welds are verified. A relatively accurate prediction model for fatigue crack growth in risers is proposed. To further improve the accuracy of crack growth prediction, a machine learning-based correction model is developed. On the basis of available in-service inspection data, a correction strategy is proposed in which the predicted crack growth process is dynamically updated with measured crack growth data. The proposed approach establishes a theoretical foundation for accurate and forward prediction of fatigue fracture damage in riser structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Strength, Fatigue, and Vibration in Marine Structures)

21 pages, 4953 KB

Open AccessArticle

Bifurcation Analysis and Vibration Control of a Top-Tensioned Riser Under Parametric Resonance with a Tuned Mass Damper

by Hai-Su Wang, Guang Liu and Zhong-Rong Lu

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(7), 602; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14070602 - 25 Mar 2026

Viewed by 361

Abstract

This paper presents a dynamic model of a top-tensioned riser (TTR) subjected to combined vortex-induced vibration (VIV) and time-varying tension excitation. The model employs a van der Pol oscillator to simulate load excitation caused by vortex shedding and incorporates a tuned mass damper (TMD) to suppress nonlinear vibrations in the riser. The key contributions include, first, employing the Galerkin method to obtain a multi-mode approximate solution and analyzing it using single-mode approximate equations, and subsequently, applying a multi-scale approach to investigate the vibration reduction effect of the TMD under two typical resonance scenarios. By introducing a complex impedance term derived from the complex transfer function, the physical effect of the TMD is transformed into a frequency-dependent dynamic reaction force coupled to the riser’s equation of motion. The first involves 1:1 internal resonance between the structural frequency and vortex-induced frequency, while the second involves 1:2 parametric resonance between the structural frequency and the top tension frequency. Results indicate that when the structural frequency exhibits 1:2 parametric resonance with the top tension frequency, complex bifurcation behavior occurs, leading to large-amplitude structural responses. Findings demonstrate that TMDs effectively alter the system’s stability distribution and exhibit outstanding vibration-reduction efficiency under both typical resonance conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Strength, Fatigue, and Vibration in Marine Structures)

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17 pages, 1752 KB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Response Evolutions of Monopile Offshore Wind Turbines Under Wind–Wave Coupling

by Jingcai Zhang, Shuhang Wang, Hao Yang, Lingxi Gu, Siyu Liu, Jianhui Xu and Zhenyuan Gu

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(6), 590; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14060590 - 23 Mar 2026

Viewed by 433

Abstract

Offshore wind turbines (OWTs) are subjected to long-term coupled wind–wave loads, and frequently endure extreme loads under wind speeds exceeding the cut-out speed during service. This paper uses the OpenFAST v4.0.0 to conduct a detailed numerical analysis of an offshore monopile wind turbine, investigating its aerodynamic loads, tower deformation, displacement, acceleration, and foundation reactions under cut-in, rated and cut-out conditions, and further explores the influence of reference wind speed. Distinct response discrepancies are identified between directions and operating conditions. Fore–aft (F-A) responses are dominated by axial thrust and the first-order bending mode, reaching their peak under the rated condition. Side–side (S-S) responses are controlled by lateral turbulence; under cut-out conditions, the sharply reduced aerodynamic damping triggers significant higher-order mode participation, resulting in the maximum S-S responses. With increasing reference wind speed, F-A responses rise monotonically, while S-S displacement tends to plateau above a critical wind speed. The aerodynamic loads differ sharply across cut-in, rated and cut-out conditions; F-A thrust fluctuates between 0.25 × 10³ and 0.75 × 10³ kN at the rated condition and nears zero at the cut-out condition. The nacelle’s F-A acceleration peaks at 0.503 m/s² under the rated condition, while S-S acceleration peaks at 1.32 m/s² under the cut-out condition. The OWT’s tower F-A displacement peaks at 0.689 m under the rated condition, while S-S displacement peaks at 0.429 m under the cut-out condition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Strength, Fatigue, and Vibration in Marine Structures)

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14 pages, 3656 KB

Open AccessArticle

Quantitative Geometric Properties of Concrete Armour Unit Hexacone

by Yangwoo Lee, Hyoseob Kim and Hojun Yoo

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(5), 506; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14050506 - 7 Mar 2026

Viewed by 384

Abstract

Physical properties are important for the selection of concrete armour units (CAUs) for a specific site. Geometric properties are closely linked to physical properties. Here, new concepts in geometric properties that may be related to structural stability are proposed. Void ratio, overall slenderness, member slenderness, mass distribution with the distance from the gravity centre, and moment of inertia with respect to the gravity centre or pivot line are measurable, and we focus on geometric properties of several CAU structures. All CAUs have the same mass of 32 t. Hexacone has exceptionally high mass density near the leg tips, which helps to increase the moment of inertia. The moment of inertia of a Hexacone with respect to the horizontal pivot axis at the bottom line of the units is also the largest of the four tested. Hexacone is the most resistant to external torques when standing on its own. There is a possibility that a layer of Hexacones could be the most stable of the four types of units, especially when Hexacones are randomly placed or regularly placed with mixed vertical and horizontal columns. Future development of CAUs will aim to achieve a larger moment of inertia, raising the interlocking level and strengthening member endurance at the same time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Strength, Fatigue, and Vibration in Marine Structures)

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32 pages, 8989 KB

Open AccessArticle

Efficient Reconstruction of High-Resolution Tidal Turbine Blade Deflection and Strain Maps Through Sensing Location Optimisation

by Marek J. Munko, Miguel A. Valdivia Camacho, Fergus Cuthill, Conchúr M. Ó Brádaigh and Sergio Lopez Dubon

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(5), 408; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14050408 - 24 Feb 2026

Viewed by 430

Abstract

During fatigue tests of tidal turbine blades, digital image correlation (DIC) is used to collect vital information about the specimen. DIC provides high-resolution displacement and strain maps of selected blade sections; however, continuous operation is hindered by the need to acquire, transfer, and process large volumes of high-resolution images, precluding real-time use during long tests. We address this problem by optimising sparse sensing locations on the blade surface so that full-field maps can be accurately reconstructed from a small subset of pixel measurements. In contrast to most DIC improvements found in the literature, which focus on accelerating the processing stage, this approach circumvents the need to collect high-resolution data. We evaluate this approach in a case study at FastBlade, a dedicated testing facility for tidal turbine blades. With less than 1% of the original pixels measured, the mean relative error evaluated on the dataset is 0.4% and 16% for displacement and strain maps, respectively, with the larger strain error reflecting the higher spatial complexity of strain fields. The optimised layouts outperform random and grid-like arrangements. The framework enables real-time monitoring and, subject to relevant validation, might be applied to reconstruct high-resolution strain maps directly from strain-gauge readings, potentially extending to in-ocean blade monitoring. Given the high accuracy of deflection reconstructions, using them to derive strain fields is suggested as a direction for further study. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Strength, Fatigue, and Vibration in Marine Structures)

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26 pages, 5440 KB

Open AccessArticle

An Improved Method for Hull Structure Fatigue Crack Growth at Random Loading and Its Application

by Ming Zhang, Kaiyan Li, Chun Fang and Guoqing Feng

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(3), 287; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14030287 - 1 Feb 2026

Viewed by 501

Abstract

Under random wave loading, the crack growth rate exhibits jump-like cycle-to-cycle variations, which limit the direct use of efficient integration schemes such as the Euler method. In addition, the crack growth life is highly sensitive to the initial crack size and aspect ratio, while the initial defects are often difficult to determine accurately in practice, leading to increased uncertainty in life assessment. To address these issues, a cycle-scaling-based crack size accumulation method for random loading is proposed. A predictor–corrector improved Euler method is then established, and a fourth-order Runge–Kutta scheme incorporating the cycle-scaling transformation is derived. Furthermore, based on spectral analysis theory, a mapping between the wave spectrum and the crack-tip stress intensity factor response spectrum is developed. A stress intensity factor range sequence is generated by concatenating short-term sea states, thereby providing a random loading input that preserves the required statistical characteristics. Finally, a 21,000-TEU container ship is analyzed as a case study to investigate crack growth evolution for different initial aspect ratios. The results show that the crack aspect ratio gradually converges to a particular trend during propagation. A convergent aspect ratio curve is fitted. And a unified life assessment curve is constructed. An equivalent transformation is used to map an arbitrary initial crack shape and size to an equivalent convergent aspect ratio crack. As a result, fatigue life can be rapidly estimated using a single “initial crack size–fatigue life” curve, providing support for crack growth life assessment and the definition of defect acceptance limits for ship hull structures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Strength, Fatigue, and Vibration in Marine Structures)

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29 pages, 7575 KB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Uncertainties Induced by Laboratory Practices During Experiments

by Francesco Mannacio, Nagi Abdussamie, Hideaki Murayama, Martijn Hoogeland, Kim Branner, Rimas Janeliukstis, Sören Ehlers, Mikko Suominen and Cesare Mario Rizzo

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010022 - 22 Dec 2025

Viewed by 468

Abstract

The effect of specific laboratory practices can be very significant on the outcomes of an experiment. Therefore, the Specialist Committee V.2 on Experimental Methods of the International Ship and Offshore Structures Congress decided to perform a benchmark experiment aimed at assessing laboratory practice-induced uncertainties. While the specimens were identical for all participants, the procedure to determine the outcomes was left to the expertise and experimental capabilities of the participants and their laboratories. Hence, different approaches and experimental techniques have been applied and are described in this paper. Natural frequencies of two types of cantilever beam specimens have been investigated, namely, steel and composite specimens. The composite material specimens were cut by one participant from a single panel and provided to the other participants to limit the scatter due to fabrication-induced imperfections. The steel specimens were sourced by each participant individually, following specified dimensions and steel grade. In an effort to supplement the initial benchmark, a committee member who did not participate in the original study was later provided with identical composite specimens and instructed to carry out the tests meticulously, adhering to the benchmark guidelines and to document the practical application of a promising but rather challenging measurement technique, i.e., the Digital Image Correlation, needing specific skills for successful implementation. As a result, this paper presents the influence of selected experimental setups and data acquisition, as well as data elaboration approaches on the identified natural frequencies. Such an approach allows for assessing laboratory practice-induced uncertainties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Analysis of Strength, Fatigue, and Vibration in Marine Structures)

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