and compliance.  Four tasks have been identified,

flux composition, and flux thickness.  The first step

with the first two completed.  They include estab 

of this research will be conducted on flat titanium

lished type of work versus risks, exposures, safety

plates. This will allow for the various parameters

and health hazards, and established OSHA compli 

to be investigated, while eliminating the orbital ef 

ance procedures, calculations and requirements.

fects of pipe welding.  Based on the results of this

Much of the data was collected separately to mea 

research, fabrication of socket joints on pipes will

sure exposure levels in the shipbuilding industry

be accomplished.

and was used to complete the first task.  Similarly,

To date, the flat plate welding research  resulted

compliance  models  developed  to  assess  worker

in significant findings.  Weld depth increased from

health and safety information were derived from

approximately three millimeters to approximately

data  collected  under  actual  field  conditions.   The

six millimeters, while significantly reducing weld

Nederman Filterbox is typical of measures used to

bead width.  The use of fluoride flux versus chlo 

control exposure in the shipbuilding industry.

rides is much more effective as the shielding me 

Two remaining tasks are underway including es 

dium produces the desired results.  Other experi 

tablished shipyard responsibilities to achieve OSHA

ments will continue during 2003 and results of the

compliance, and established performance tracking

research efforts will be published by the end of 2003.

procedures and methods.  The third task will ad 

dress monitoring, prevention efforts, as well as data

Management

analysis and reporting.  The final task will consider

historical trends and desired tracking metrics.  UNO

COE is conducting the collection, analysis, and re 

Continuous Improvement of Drydocking

porting effort in cooperation with OSHA and mem 

Management

bers of the shipbuilding industry.

The University of New Orleans, College of Engi 

Socket Welding of Titanium Grades

neering  conducted  a  survey  to  determine  critical

areas that needed improvement in drydocking.  Two

Research presently underway at the University of

papers  have  been  published  of  best  practices  in

New Orleans, College of Engineering on improved

drydocking and other reports are forthcoming.

welding methods for titanium pipes shows promise

for improving quality and reducing welding costs

New safety rules pressure ship operators to improve

for the shipbuilding and petro chemical industry.

the quality of ship operations and safety.  The Office of

Naval Research s Navy Manufacturing Technology Pro 

In cooperation with Ecole Centrale de Nantes, the

gram has sponsored a project of continuous improve 

University of New Orleans, College of Engineering

ment of drydocking management by the University of

(UNO COE) is investigating a new welding tech 

New Orleans, College of Engineering s (UNO COE s)

nique for welding the P 80 socket joint on  titanium

Gulf  Coast  Region  Maritime  Technology  Center

pipe.    Fusion  welding  of  titanium  is  particularly

(GCRMTC).  A survey was done by Ship Operation Co 

difficult due to its low thermal conductivity coupled

operative Program (SOCP) participants to determine

with the intrinsic spreading nature of titanium melt.

critical areas that needed improvement in drydocking.

Atmospheric  conditions  surrounding  the  welded

The results of the survey identified the need for stan 

joint also contribute to the welding difficulty.  Typi 

dardization, performance metrics, better risk and ship

cally, the P 80 Socket joint, which is very common

condition (e.g., corrosion in the hull, plating in the cargo

in shipbuilding and petro chemical operations, takes

spaces, etc.) assessment, and new reliability and main 

two passes to meet specification.  Reducing the num 

tenance  management  strategies.    Standardization  is

ber  of  passes,  while  attaining  proper  joint  geom 

needed  for  items  and  units  for  pricing,  reporting

etry and strength, reduces time spent achieving the

progress,  and  specification  formats.    Performance

welding and reduces opportunities for non conform 

metrics  are  not  currently  used  in  making  decisions.

ance.  Parameters being investigated by UNO COE

Better risk assessment is needed for scheduling and

and Ecole Centrale de Nantes researchers are elec 

selecting shipyards as well as better ship condition as 

trode shape, assist gas, electrode to work distance,

sessment  to  create  more  precise  specifications.    Six

weld current (steady and pulsating), travel speed,

Sigma can be implemented as a management strategy.

19