LIFE CYCLE DESIGN FOR MARINE VEHICLES

In this paper it is suggested that when designing a ship, a life cycle analysis should be carried out. Many concepts should be included in the conceptual design, which includes: - Maintenance concept and strategy - Support - Reliability - Training of operators - Safety consideration - Testing equipments In essence, it has been found that reliability, maintainability and supportability (R/M/S), as design characteristics, could have a tremendous impact on the ultimate effectiveness and economic support of a system in the user environment. Further, it has become increasingly evident that R/M/S considerations are not adequately addressed in the design process. If considered at all, these factors are introduced "after-the-fact", which can be a costly experience should changes be required at this stage. Thus, this paper proposes a new approach to design, a life cycle engineering design approach, which presents an integrated approach for bringing competitive products and systems into being in such a way as to minimise their deficiencies and life cycle cost. This involves the integration of: performance, producibility, reliability, maintainability, manability, supportability, and other "ilities": into the overall design process. It would bring R/M/S to the front-end of design of a new system/equipment.