Analytical Study of Real-Time Hull Structural Health Monitoring Systems for Nigerian Coastal Vessels

Structural health monitoring systems that provide continuous real-time assessment of hull integrity represent an emerging technology with the potential to transform maintenance planning and accident prevention in commercial shipping. This study analytically investigates the suitability and design requirements of real-time hull structural health monitoring systems for application aboard coastal cargo and tanker vessels operating in Nigerian waters. An analytical engineering review methodology was employed, combining a literature synthesis of current structural health monitoring sensor technologies with finite element structural analysis of a representative coastal vessel hull under Nigerian operating conditions including wave loading, thermal cycling, and corrosion-accelerated structural deterioration. Sensor placement optimisation was performed using modal analysis to identify locations of maximum stress and optimal strain gauge, acoustic emission sensor, and vibration sensor coverage. Economic analysis compares the cost of a monitoring system installation and maintenance against the expected savings from targeted maintenance interventions and avoided structural failures. Results indicate that a sensor network of between thirty and fifty strain gauges supplemented by acoustic emission sensors at weld-intensive structural zones provides adequate coverage for the vessel type analysed. Economic analysis suggests a positive return on investment within four years under conservative failure avoidance assumptions. The study contributes a technically validated structural health monitoring design framework applicable to the Nigerian coastal fleet. Keywords: structural health monitoring, hull integrity, coastal vessels, strain gauges, acoustic emission