Alberto Marino

Experimental investigation on Iroko wood used in shipbuilding

The paper deals with investigations about mechanical properties of Iroko, a hardwood species used for structures in shipbuilding as glued laminated timber. Experimental tests have been carried out to assess strength, stiffness and density of Iroko in accordance with current EN Standards. All the results obtained by tensile and three-point bending tests, along with the statistical analyses performed to define the characteristics values of some mechanical properties, are reported in the paper. These values allowed to assign the strength class, reported in EN 338 Standard, to the investigated Iroko wood population. The experiments have taken into account both solid timber strips and scarf-jointed strips, in order to evaluate the influence of such a type of joint, which is widely used in wooden shipbuilding on strength and stiffness. Eventually, peculiar investigations have been carried out to analyse the failure mode of some test pieces through special experimental techniques: three-dimensional computed tomography and infrared thermography.

The design of a slow-cruising superyacht with zero emission navigation and smart berthing modes

The reduction of polluting/acoustic emissions is actually a key driver to re-design yachts and marinas, being improved their marketability. A greener yacht able to guarantee a Zero-Emission-Mode navigation can be conceived through the adoption of on-board energy storage systems. An innovative possibility for supplying the embarked batteries is offered by renewable energies, besides the on-board stored energy may be provided for operations of the Distribution System Operator.

Inland Waterway Gas-Fueled Vessels: CASM-Based Electrification of a Pushboat for the European Network

The peculiarities of the European inland waterway transport are analyzed, and a novel design of a pushboat for barges convoys is proposed and optimized for the Rhine-Danube corridor. To this aim, a hybrid parallel electric propulsion system is adopted with the perspective to define an eco-friendly vessel. This paper is to be intended as the early stage in the proof of concept for commercial technologies useful for the electrification of pushboats employed in inland waterway navigation. Specifically, the optimal design solution is highlighted by evaluating proper attribute weights, which determine the degree of closeness among possible solution and the design target. In particular, computer-aided synthesis modeling methodology to minimize capital expenditures and operating expenses of a pushboat is adopted.

An innovative hybrid-electric small passenger craft for the sustainable mobility in the Venice Lagoon

Sustainable mobility is an essential issue to take for the town planning of a great city. When a high tourist flow is present, the city should be provided of low pollutant emission vehicles for the public transport in order to preserve the environment. Venice is an UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the urban public transport is almost exclusively carried out by boats. This paper deals with the design of a new small passenger craft to be operated in the Venice Lagoon with hybrid-electric propulsion. An innovative hullform has been conceived in order to get wave reduction useful to lower both the impact on the foundations of buildings and the energy consumption of the craft. Moreover, a suitable LVDC Integrated Power System has been adopted to enable the Zero Emission Mode navigation.

Inland waterway gas-fuelled vessels: An innovative proposal of a hybrid ship for the European network

The peculiarities of the European inland waterway transport are analyzed, and a novel design of a pushboat for barges convoys is proposed. To this aim a hybrid electric propulsion system is adopted with the perspective to define an eco-friendly vessel. Innovative and green technologies based on dual fuel LNG engines and electric motors/generators available on market are effectively installed onboard.

Integrated design of a hybrid-electric power system for coastal-navigation multipurpose crafts

Nowadays, it is of paramount importance reducing the pollutant emission also of small crafts operating near the coast. This action is an essential issue to preserve the marine and coastal environment. In this paper, the design of a coastal-navigation multipurpose craft to be used in North Adriatic Sea area is presented. The particular service areas are characterized both by inland waterways with shallow and restricted waters and by open sea. Hull-form of the craft along with hybrid-electric propulsion have been properly designed in order to obtain an efficient solution for the different operational conditions. Specifically, the hybrid-electric power system has been conceived to allow the Zero Emission Mode navigation for a reasonable range.