Cassar, Christopher-John Michael;
(2024)
Virtual reality integrated into the initial design of vessels for ergonomic analysis.
Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).
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Abstract
Ship design is a complex field that requires the integration of various disciplines to achieve a balance between vessel functionality and crew welfare. Traditionally, the focus tends to lean more towards technical specifications, often at the expense of ergonomic considerations. This imbalance highlights the need for tools that can introduce human factors more effectively into the early stages of design. Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as a significant advancement in this area, offering the potential to enhance the perceptual accuracy of both naval architects and human factors engineers, thus fostering a more innovative and user-centred design ethos from the outset. This research investigates the integration of VR and Human Factors Engineering (HFE) within the ship design process. By developing a VR tool that facilitates a more immersive engagement with the end-user's perspective, the study aims to transform traditional design methodologies. This approach allows designers to anticipate and mitigate common design flaws that could otherwise lead to operational inefficiencies and increased lifecycle costs. The key outcomes of this research include the development of several ship design process models that integrate VR and HFE, and the creation of a VR tool tailored for design revision. The practical application of this tool has been tested in critical ship areas such as the bridge, operations room, and machinery spaces, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving ergonomic considerations. These developments represent a significant step towards more efficient and ergonomically optimized vessel designs, highlighting the pivotal role of VR in modern naval architecture.
| Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Qualification: | Ph.D |
| Title: | Virtual reality integrated into the initial design of vessels for ergonomic analysis |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © The Author 2024. Original content in this thesis is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) Licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Any third-party copyright material present remains the property of its respective owner(s) and is licensed under its existing terms. Access may initially be restricted at the author’s request. |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Mechanical Engineering |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10199044 |
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