SCALE EFFECTS AND VERIFICATION OF MODELING OF SHIP CATHODIC PROTECTION SYSTEMS

The impressed-current cathodic protection system designed for a U.S. N avy aircraft carrier is evaluated using boundary element techniques. G eometric scaling is introduced by the inclusion of relatively smaller features, such as a bilge keel. The ship is modeled using guidelines d eveloped for a smaller craft. Increases in geometric size result in in creases in electrical current demand. Effects of time in service and s peed are incorporated by paint damage patterns and use of polarization responses obtained under increased velocity used to simulate ship dyn amic conditions. Physical scale modeling of experimental results are u sed as the basis for evaluation of model accuracy. Detailed comparison s of computational and experimental results show good agreement. As in previous work, model simplification and material characterization acc uracy are observed to have a major influence on overall analysis accur acy. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.