PIAS Manual  2024
Program for the Integral Approach of Shipdesign
Graphical User Interface for Loading

Here appears the Graphical User Interface (GUI), which can be considered as the central command window of Loading, and an example of which is shown in the figure below. This GUI is not strictly indispensable. It is very well possible to navigate through Loading with all functions and menu options. It has been proven to be rather well-arranged and user-friendly though. Because this GUI is similar to the main window of the PIAS-related LOCOPIAS loading software, the corresponding parts of the LOCOPIAS manual have been pasted into the remainder of this Loading GUI section. So it might be possible that an occasional “LOCOPIAS” pops up in the text. But since the function under consideration is identical to that of PIAS that difference in brand name is not relevant. The same argument applies to the loading tools as discussed in Loading tools.

Main window layout

A typical example layout of the main window is shown below, with an explanation of the labeled elements right below that.

mainscreen1024.png
Layout of the main window.
1 Menu bar
Basic functionalities are accessible through the menu bar, see Menu bar.
2 Module buttons
These tool bar buttons provide quick access to the main window and available cargo modules to load specific types of cargo.
3 Main window buttons
These buttons allow manipulation of Conditions, Settings, Output, Check and 2D/3D View.
4 Side-view
Shows the actual wind contour, drafts, actual waterline, line of sight and air draft.
5 Cross section
Shows heeling angle and initial stability (G'M).
6 Compliance windows
These windows indicate compliance with the criteria for the current loading condition. Click on a window for detailed information.
7 Overview weight groups
A summary of total weight per weight group.
8 Settings window
Shows current settings. Double-click on a setting to change it, or go to the [Settings] dialog window by clicking the button [Settings].
9 GZ curve
Shows the GZ curve of the specific condition.
10 Drop-down list box
Shows the selected loading condition and you can select another condition.
11 Intact stability diagram
Indicates whether the vessel complies with the intact stability criteria and to what extent. Though the values for the Actual VCG' and allowable VCG' are calculated by LOCOPIAS in a manner which is correct and normally accepted by class societies, these values have not been checked by Lloyds Register and should therefore only be used as guidance!
Note
Depending on your installation, some of these elements may not be available.

Menu bar

The menu bar at the top of the main window (item 1) gives access to the following functions:

[Setup]→[Print Options]
Select output device. Besides preview/clipboard, the default system printers are listed and can be selected here.
[Edit]→[Edit Weight Groups]

Weight items can be grouped in so-called weight groups, were a weight group is a category of a particular content, such as ‘diesel oil’ or ‘fresh water’. The weight groups are managed from this location in the program. The user can add, modify and delete weight groups themselves. When deleting a group, a check is made to see if there are still weight items of that group, and if there are, a notification is given and it is better not to delete the group. There are some default weight groups that are fixed in the program and cannot be changed or deleted. Editable properties are:

  • The name of the weight group.
  • The hatching type which is used when hatching or filling in the compartments in tank sketch plots.
  • The group color, which is the color representing this weight group, and which is used in plots, and also as background color in text windows if the last column of this weight group is set to ‘yes’.
  • The text color, which, if the last column is set to ‘yes’, specifies the foreground color in textual overview windows of the texts which belong to this weight group.
  • In table, which indicates whether the weight group color should also be used in overview tables of compartments and weight items.
  • Print summ., which indicates whether in the output only the subtotal should be printed. The calculation is based on all weight items though.

[Edit]→[Edit cross sections tank graphics]

Go to this menu to add or edit cross sections and views of the tanks. These sections and views are automatically added to the output of intact stability calculations.

[Edit]→[Edit cross sections stowage plan]
Go to this menu to add or edit cross sections and views of the stowage plan.
[View]→[3D View]

See 2D/3D View

[Options]→[Select stability criteria]
See Check
[Options]→[Export data via XML]
Exports the current loading condition to an XML file which can be used to exchange data with third party software.
[Options]→[Environmental conditions]
Gives the ability to simulate running aground, or check the stability in wind and/or waves.
[Help]→[Help reader (F1)]
Opens this help reader.
[Help]→[Manual]→[Ship-specific data and test conditions]
Opens the booklet containing the Ship-specific data and test conditions.
[Help]→[About LOCOPIAS]
Opens a window with relevant data with regard to the LOCOPIAS program as well as the license conditions.
[Help]→[Not purchased]
Shows a preview of modules which have not been purchased.
[Help]→[Enter activation code]
Give an activation code here for modules purchased afterwards. At the moment this is only possible for the tank measurement system module for specific sytems. Please contact SARC for further details.

General approach

In general, you can use the following steps to define a loading condition and perform the required calculations. Please note that this workflow is just one way to get you started, it is not the only possible way to use LOCOPIAS. All actions can be performed in random order and frequency. The functionalities will be elaborated further in the remainder of this chapter. This example starts at the main window.

module_conditions.png
Select the [Conditions] button and create a new condition. When LOCOPIAS is opened for the first time, the main window shows a preprogrammed example condition. By creating a new condition, you start with a preprogrammed default condition.
module_settings.png
Click the [Settings] button and adjust the settings according to your situation. By adjusting the settings to the current situation before loading your cargo, useful feedback can be received during configuration of the loading condition. Settings are applicable for the current loading condition.
module_icon_tanks_en.png
Go to the [Tanks] module to modify the contents of consumables e.g. fresh water, fuel oil, lubricating oil.
module_icon_weight_list_en.png

In the [Weight list], miscellaneous supplies, e.g. crew, provisions and stores can be entered.

modules_cargo.png

Select the appropriate modules for your cargo type and define your cargo.

module_icon_tanks_en.png
Open the [Tanks] module again. When all cargo is loaded, the floating position can be optimized by adding water ballast.
module_check.png
The [Check] button provides a quick check of stability and strength at any moment during this process.
module_output.png

Press [Output] to perform calculations and generate output on screen or on paper.

module_2D3D_view.png

Press [2D/3D view] to view a three-dimensional representation of your vessel, if available.

module_monitoring.png
Press [Monitoring] to put LOCOPIAS in active monitoring, if available.

Conditions

By pressing the [Conditions]-button, the loading conditions menu, as shown in the figure below, will appear. In this window the defined loading conditions are displayed and can be managed. You can create a new loading condition and you can delete, rename, copy/paste or export existing conditions. To modify a loading condition, select a condition and double click on it or press the <enter> key. The main window will now reflect this loading condition.

select_or_create_a_loading_condition_en.png
Select or create a loading condition.
New loading condition
  1. Click [New].
  2. Enter a new (unique) name for your loading condition.

The new condition is a preprogrammed default condition.

Delete loading condition
  1. Select a loading condition.
  2. Click [Remove].
Rename loading condition
  1. Click on a loading condition and press the functionkey <F2>.
  2. Enter a new (unique) name.
Copy/paste a loading condition
  1. Click on a loading condition, and press the [Edit]→[Copy row].
  2. Now select the condition to copy to and click [Edit]→[Paste row].

Copy a loading condition and paste it over another loading condition to create a loading condition that has the same properties. If a specific module has been purchased you can choose to paste the complete condition or just the cargo defined with the specific module. The newly pasted condition will appear on the main window, as shown in the figure below.

choose_the_property_to_paste_en.png
Choose the data that have to be copied.
Import/export of selected loading condition
Import/export allows transport of data from one LOCOPIAS to another for the same vessel and same version.
  1. Press the [File]→[Export] to write the selected loading conditions to file.
  2. Press the [File]→[Import] to select a file of exported loading conditions, to import them into the active version of LOCOPIAS.

Settings

See Settings per loading condition.

Check

Click the [Check]-button to check that the loading condition complies with the stability and strength requirements. After clicking the [Check]-button, a window opens with several tabs: overview, stability, strength and damage stability, if applicable. Compliance with the requirement is indicated by the color of the bullet (complies = green, does not comply = red). If, for instance, the overview shows a red bullet under intact stability, the corresponding tab provides more information as to the reason for non-compliance. Note that when the vessel operates under more than one classification society, the set of damage stability criteria applicable to the loading condition can be set via the menu bar item [Options]→[Select stability criteria]. The intact stability criteria can be set per loading condition via Settings.

check_window_en.png
Check window.

When the damage stability is selected, press OK. Now the Check window has generated a new tab called Damage stability. Here you can check whether the damage case complies with the criteria (complies = green, does not comply = red).

check_window_damstab_en.png
Check window damage stability tab.

Output

You can use ‘Output’ to perform full calculations and to make a printout. If the selected printer is ‘preview/clipboard’ the output will appear on screen.

output_menu_en.png
Output menu.

The following output options can be available in your version of LOCOPIAS:

Output settings

Select which data is to be printed.

Intact stability

Standard format output of intact stability calculations with an overall conclusion for compliance with applicable stability requirements.

Longitudinal strength

Output of longitudinal strength calculations with an overall conclusion for compliance with selected allowable bending moment and shear force requirements.

Torsion moments

Output of torsional moments calculations with an overall conclusion for compliance with defined maximum allowable torsion moments.

Damage stability

Full output of damage stability calculations of the selected damage cases with an overall conclusion for compliance with applicable stability requirements.

Damage stability summary

Output of damage stability conclusions of the selected damage cases.

Comprehensive output (Class Report)

Output of the standard format of all available calculations (including mandatory damage cases, if applicable) with a common conclusion in accordance with the requirements.

Short output

A summary of the loading condition and a conclusion.

Sounding table

Output for all measuring devices, for every tank, in the loading condition.

Cargo/ullage report

An overview of all onboard cargoes, including their weight, temperature effect, sounding and etc.. In this list only those tanks are included of which ‘Include this tank in ullage report’ is switched on.

Stowage plan

The stowage plan can be shown on screen or printed to paper. All cargoes from all available modules are printed.

2D/3D View

This button is only available if a 3D model of the vessel is available. It toggles between side view and three dimensional view of the hull and cargo. By choosing the menu [View]→[3D View] it is possible to edit materials, colors, and light effects of the 3D representation. The 3D image can be saved to file or sent to a printer.

3D_view_window1024.png
Main window with 3D view switched on.

Monitoring

This option is only available when purchased and a connection with a tank gauge system is available. After selecting the icon for [Monitoring] a settings popup-window, as seen below, will appear. Here you can enter the time interval which will be used for reading the tank data, calculating the intact stability, longitudinal strength and damage stability (which is available and selected) and updating all data in the main screen. As long as the monitoring mode is active, it is not possible to edit loading conditions. This mode can be stopped by selecting the icon for monitoring again.

monitoring_settings_en.png
Settings for monitoring.

The specific modules to handle various types of cargo are discussed in detail in Loading tools.