A suitable overhead beam should be designed for the open hopper with single-row sludge gate. The advantages and disadvantages of several overhead beam structures are analyzed and compared from the rule requirements, design loads, transverse strength, and the influence on the cabin capacity, hopper weight and dredging operation. The selection of the overhead beam structure is also discussed for the medium-scale dredger with a single-row sludge gate. The analysis method and the selection of each scheme can provide reference for the structural design of the hopper in the dredger.

High strength steel has increasingly been applied in the hull structure with the continuous development of the shipping industry. It discusses the application of the high strength steel on the trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) from its influence on the local strength, overall strength, structural weight, fatigue strength and economic benefit. It also researches the optimum application range of the high strength steel on the medium TSHDs.