A solution to the inherent list on Nimitz class aircraft carriers

Nimitz class aircraft carriers possess an inherent list to starboard that their list control systems (LCS) are typically unable to correct while under Combat Load Conditions. As a result, it has become necessary to use fresh water ballast in a number of inner bottom voids and damage control voids to augment the LCS. Maintaining liquid ballast in damage control voids is unacceptable, as it reduces the design counter flooding capability of the ship, and thus reduces ship survivability. In order to restore the ships operational flexibility and achieve the necessary/desired list correction, this study determines the effect of adding solid ballast to a series of voids/tanks identified on the 2nd, 4th, and 8th decks. Based on ballast density, tank location and capacity, ease of ballast installation, minor tank structural modifications, and a decision making cost analysis, solid ballast was determined to be the most advantageous for use in correcting the inherent list on the Nimitz class aircraft carriers. Fresh water ballast was also examined as a possible alternative, but not as extensively due to the large quantity of water required and its limited ability to achieve a list correction. Nimitz class aircraft carriers currently have an average list of 1.5 degrees and a KG of 47 feet.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Ocean Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2004

Author dc:creator

• Wolfson, Dianna

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• David R. Burke.

• Ocean Engineering.
• Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/33439

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/33439