Applicability of Machine Learning for Vessel Dimension Survey with a Minimum Number of Common Points

Abstract

This paper presents the challenges encountered in the dimensional control of ships, platforms, and offshore units. This novel approach utilizes machine learning (MLP—Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network) for three-dimensional (3D) spatial coordinate transformations when only three common points are known. The proposed method was verified based on laboratory and field data. The main issue was to provide a sufficient number of valid training points. The oversampling method was used to meet this criterion. The achieved results indicate equal or better accuracy when the points were located inside the adjustment points array. In the case where the points lay outside this array, no improvement in the accuracy of the transformation was observed. The neural approach restores the transformation symmetry, and in some cases, such as the study of deformation of engineering objects, breaks the symmetry rather than restoring it.