ABSTRACT
Ships and offshore structures are characterized by operating iti a hazardous environment, the use of low manning rates, and high down-time costs. These factors, which demand a high degree of safety and reliability, put special emphasis on maintenance. A brief review of research areas relevant to marine maintenance is given. The use of modern high-speed computers in maintenance related engineering is discussed. Examples of computer applications in operation and maintenance management of large technical systems are given. The need for development of new computer based methods for visual definition and modelling of complex marine installations as a tool for obtaining a better overview and understanding during operation and maintenance activities is stated. The basics of a new and simple computer graphics approach for interactive creation and modification of physically oriented system models is presented. The method applies interactive definition of plane system figures situated in general planes in three-dimensional space. Two- and three-dimensional viewing, zooming and panning are used. A concept for hierarchical and parallel system figure definition by use of an absolute or a relative definition mode is described. The method will act as a low cost alternative or supplement to large scale CAD models—primarily suitable for the needs of operation and maintenance. Examples of practical applications of the modelling technique are shown. The possibilities of using the described method in combination with computerized maintenance management systems, reliability calculations and other engineering applications are discussed.
