Bài báo khoa học Truy cập mở Tập 15, Số 05, tr. 118-127

Numerical modeling and parametric optimization of rope cutter design for small fishing ships

Pham Van Chien, Duy Nam Ngo, Duy Trinh Nguyen, Van Hoan Cao, Duy Tan Nguyen

  • Pham Van Chien Tác giả liên hệ
Ngày xuất bản
15/9/2026
DOI
https://doi.org/10.55228/j.uth.150511

Tóm tắt

Marine debris, particularly fishing ropes and nets, poses significant risks to small fishing vessels by causing propeller entanglement, operational failure, and safety hazards. To mitigate these issues, rope cutters are widely used; however, structural failure due to fatigue, especially at critical geometric regions, remains a concern. This study presents a numerical investigation and optimization of rope cutter design using finite element analysis in ANSYS Workbench. The structural behavior of rotating and stationary blades was analyzed under cutting forces ranging from 1000 N to 4000 N. The results show that both components operate within the elastic regime, with maximum stress values below the material yield strength. However, stress and strain are highly localized at the fillet region of the stationary blade, identifying it as the primary site for crack initiation. A parametric study of fillet radius was conducted to reduce stress concentration. The optimal radius of 19.52 mm was found to minimize maximum stress while maintaining acceptable deformation. The proposed optimization improves structural reliability and fatigue resistance without altering material properties. These findings provide practical design guidelines for enhancing the durability and safety of rope cutters used in small fishing vessels operating in debris-prone marine environments.

Từ khóa

  • Marine debris
  • Propeller entanglement
  • Rope cutter
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • ANSYS Workbench

Tài liệu tham khảo

[1] L. Johnson, "Navigational hazards and related public safety concerns associated with derelict fishing gear and marine debris," in International Marine Debris Conference on Derelict Fishing Gear and the Ocean Environment, Honolulu, HI, 2000.

[2] S. Hong, J. Lee, and S. Lim, "Navigational threats by derelict fishing gear to navy ships in the Korean seas," Marine Pollution Bulletin, vol. 119, no. 2, pp. 100-105, 2017.

[3] G. Macfadyen, T. Huntington, and R. Cappell, Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear. United Nations Environment Programme Nairobi, 2009.

[4] S. Takehama, "Estimation of damages to fishing vessels caused by marine debris, based on insurance statistics," NOAA Technical Memorandum, no. 154, 1990.

[5] K. Hall, Impacts of marine debris and oil: economic and social costs to coastal communities. Kommunenes Internasjonale Miljøorganisasjon, 2000.

[6] D. O. Cho, "Challenges to marine debris management in Korea," Coastal Management, vol. 33, no. 4, pp. 389-409, 2005.

[7] W. Lee, J. Choi, J. Kim, W. Lee, and J. Kim, "A Study on current status of entanglement accident and user satisfaction survey for ship with rope cutter in domestic," Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education, vol. 31, no. 6, pp. 1536-1543, 2019.

[8] H. Lee, J.-S. Oh, and S.-H. Choi, "Development of an underwater rope-cutter device and controller for removal of propeller and shaft foreign material for small vessel," Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety, vol. 25, no. 7, pp. 927-935, 2019.

[9] W.-J. Lee et al., "A Study on Safety and Performance of Rope Cutter for Ship's Propeller," Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 475-481, 2018.

[10] J.-S. Kim et al., "A study on the structural stability and effectiveness of rope cutter for ship's propeller," Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety, vol. 27, no. 4, pp. 550-556, 2021.

[11] A. J. Nyongesa et al., "Investigation of the effect of rope cutter on water flow behind ship propellers based on CFD analysis," Machines, vol. 10, no. 5, p. 300, 2022.

[12] J. Xie et al., "Experimental evaluation on the tensile behavior of a novel basalt fiber-reinforced polymer rope: Effects of rope structure and abrasion," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 518, p. 145814, 2026.

[13] Y. Lian, Z. Pan, J. Zheng, W. Chen, and S. C. Yim, "Experimental investigation on mechanical behavior of damaged HMPE mooring ropes under service loads," Marine Structures, vol. 101, p. 103760, 2025.

[14] L. Contri and S. Secchi, "Snapping of ropes under stress," Nylon and ropes for mountaineering and caving, Italian Alpine Club Technical Committee, Turin, pp. 8-9, 2002.

[15] W. D. Pilkey, D. F. Pilkey, and Z. Bi, Peterson's stress concentration factors. John Wiley & Sons, 2020.

Bài báo khác trong số này