{"id":42833,"date":"2026-01-30T09:24:32","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T08:24:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tsisl.es\/?p=42833"},"modified":"2026-01-30T09:33:01","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T08:33:01","slug":"sost-int-project-structural-health-monitoring-and-condition-based-maintenance-for-ships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tsisl.es\/en\/2026\/01\/sost-int-project-structural-health-monitoring-and-condition-based-maintenance-for-ships\/","title":{"rendered":"SOST-INT Project: Structural Health Monitoring and Condition-Based Maintenance for Ships."},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”||0px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_padding=”3px||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” inline_fonts=”Albert Sans,Alatsi” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

After two years of development, TSI<\/strong> has successfully completed its participation in the SOST-INT Project<\/strong>, a strategic initiative under the PERTE Naval programme<\/strong>, funded by the European Union<\/strong> through the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The SOST-INT Project<\/strong> is one of the core projects within the INNCODIS flagship initiative<\/strong>, aimed at developing an innovative industrial ecosystem to support a competitive, diversified and sustainable naval sector. These tests were carried out on the oceanographic vessel Ram\u00f3n de Margalef.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

\n

TSI\u2019s Role in the SOST-INT Project<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Structural sensing and data acquisition system.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

 <\/p>\n

At TSI<\/strong>, we were responsible for the design and implementation of the structural sensing and data acquisition system<\/strong>, focused on the structural and dynamic monitoring of ships under operational conditions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Our scope of work included:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • \n

    Structural and dynamic instrumentation<\/strong>, aimed at monitoring the structural health of the vessel during service.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Distributed data acquisition architectures<\/strong>, deployed in representative areas of the ship, including technical spaces such as the engine room.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Communication systems specifically designed for naval environments<\/strong>, ensuring data continuity under complex operational scenarios.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    The system was developed in accordance with the applicable standards and requirements of Classification Societies<\/strong>, addressing both the structural and operational needs of the vessel.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/h2>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Monitored Structural and Dynamic Variables<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

    The project focused on a set of critical structural and dynamic variables<\/strong>, including:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • \n

      Global ship motions<\/strong>, modelled considering the vessel as a beam.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Vibration levels in structurally sensitive areas<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Dynamic phenomena associated with bow slamming impacts<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Localised and lateral loads<\/strong> acting on different areas of the ship.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

       <\/p>\n

      From Monitoring to Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM)<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

      Advanced signal processing.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

      Data acquisition and processing logics were implemented using LabVIEW<\/strong>, incorporating selective data storage strategies<\/strong> that allow only structurally and operationally relevant events to be recorded.<\/p>\n

      Advanced signal processing capabilities included:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        Digital filtering, numerical integration and spectral analysis.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Dedicated algorithms for the detection of significant dynamic phenomena.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Calculation of severity parameters such as RMS<\/strong>, peak value<\/strong>, crest factor<\/strong>, and Probabilistic Power Spectral Density (PPSD)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        \"\"<\/p>\n

        Implemented CBM Strategies<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

        The results obtained enable the deployment of a Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) strategy at two complementary levels<\/strong>:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • \n

          Direct CBM<\/strong>, focused on operational monitoring and real-time detection of significant events through indicators and alarms.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Advanced CBM<\/strong>, based on the use of onboard sensor data as inputs to structural models, enabling the analysis of the ship\u2019s global structural behaviour and lifecycle performance.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          The overall objective of the project has been the design and development of advanced digital tools for intelligent ship sustainment<\/strong>, integrating structural sensing, advanced signal processing and structural models, all validated under representative operational conditions.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n

          \n

          Structural Models and Virtual Sensing<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

          Integration of FEM models with experimental data.<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

          <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

          As part of the project, strategies for feeding Finite Element Method (FEM) structural models<\/strong> were developed, aimed at inverse analysis and laying the groundwork for future advanced CBM methodologies<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

          Based on sensor measurements, dedicated Python-based APIs<\/strong> were implemented to transfer relevant information to the FEM model, developed using FEMAP<\/strong>, enabling advanced structural analysis techniques.<\/p>\n

          This approach allows:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • \n

            Feeding FEM models with real experimental data.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          • \n

            Applying Model Updating techniques<\/strong>, adjusting mechanical properties to align the model with the actual structural behaviour.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          • \n

            Implementing Virtual Sensing techniques<\/strong>, based on modal expansion, to identify impacted or loaded areas and reconstruct the structural state in non-instrumented zones.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Sensor data therefore enables the progressive refinement of the FEM model, providing an advanced view of structural behaviour and establishing a robust basis for future analyses of fatigue phenomena and other structural degradation mechanisms<\/strong>, once applied to full-scale ship models.<\/p>\n

            \n

            System Validation and Methodological Advances<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

            The project has defined and validated a methodological framework for the integration of structural sensing systems with numerical models<\/strong>, paving the way for future applications on real vessels.<\/p>\n

            The developed methodologies allow FEM models to be fed with experimental data, enabling the application of Model Updating and Virtual Sensing techniques<\/strong> for advanced structural behaviour analysis.<\/p>\n

            This approach opens the door to:<\/p>\n