Three elements of liquefaction risk of liquefiable solid bulk cargoes during sea transport: Critical review
Zihao Zhao, Wanqing Wu, Qinggong Zheng, Xiaoxiang Yu, Shangwu Yu
Abstract
The transport of liquefiable solid bulk cargo is one of the main causes of maritime safety accidents over the past decade. This article innovatively summarized the status quo of research on the liquefaction risk of liquefiable solid bulk cargo during sea transport from three aspects, namely, the properties, moisture content and external induced load of cargoes during their sea transport. The influence of the main physical parameters, the application of modern testing techniques (e.g., transparent soil and PIV) in related fields, and various TML testing methods in IMSBC code were also introduced. Result highlighted external induced load as an important factor affecting the cargo liquefaction during sea transport. The latest trends on the adoption of the liquefaction risk assessment method based on external load were also systematically introduced, and the importance of quantitative risk assessment in practical application was emphasized. This article also analyzed the main challenges encountered in managing liquefaction risk and revealed quantitative risk assessment and liquefaction mechanism as the main trends in related research. Four promising directions for future research were also put forward, which can provide valuable ideas for researchers and managers to further study and control the liquefaction risk of liquefiable solid bulk cargo.