Modelling the stability of iron ore bulk cargoes during marine transport

The safe maritime transport of bulk commodities, such as iron ore, by large bulk carriers is vitally dependent on the stability of the cargo. During transport there is a propensity that cargo shift may be triggered under the vessel's rolling motion. The study presented in this paper aims to model the critical stress conditions within iron ore bulk cargoes from a bulk solids flow perspective, from which the maximum roll angle of the vessel prior to cargo slip can be predicted. Comparison of the new theoretical approach to the classic slope stability model was conducted with similar results achieved. The influence of the failed material mass after the cargo slip event on the overall cargo stability is then examined using the discrete element method. The new theoretical and numerical approaches provide a means to predict the stability and evaluate the potential safety hazards during maritime transport of iron ore bulk cargoes.