The value of instrumentation in the assessment of vessel performance during construction and service

Considerable effort and expense is involved in large scale instrumentations of P.C.P.V's in the U.K. The paper questions the role of such instrumentation; whether it is really needed; whether strain/temperature data is of sufficient value to satisfy the diverse interests of the bodies involved in safety and performance; or is it only of value to support analysis development; or should other devices be seriously considered to measure stress, movement or deflection directly. Problems in trying to get meaningful results from installations are discussed and suggestions made as to how, in the future, better value from the cost of the installation might be realised. The paper is primarily based on experience from the instrumentation of the Wylfa, Hartlepool and Heysham vessels and includes descriptions of devices and layouts used and results from an analysis of the considerable quantity of data already obtained. (author)