A review of gangway design: Mechanical structures, modeling techniques, and control systems

Gangway is an equipment used to transport personnel and cargo between floating structures and platforms. It finds extensive applications in maritime rescue, offshore wind power operation, and offshore oil development. However, the design of gangways is a complex multidisciplinary challenge that integrates mechanical, electronic information, and control technologies. This paper reviews recent progress in mechanical structural design, system modeling techniques, control systems, and explores future possibilities such as applying birds’ head stability mechanisms to enhance the stability of gangway. The initial sections examine existing gangways, summarizing their structural types, manufacturing materials, and structural analysis methods. Subsequently, detailed discussions cover system modeling approaches, including wave modeling, ship modeling, and gangway modeling. Next, the control system is addressed, encompassing detection units, control units, and actuators. Finally, the study highlights the head stability control observed in birds or insects, which closely parallels the control requirements for gangways.