Sensitivity analysis on ultimate strength of aluminium stiffened panels

This paper presents the results of an extensive sensitivity analysis carried out by the Committee III.1 “Ultimate Strength” of ISSC’2003 in the framework of a benchmark on the ultimate strength of aluminium stiffened panels.Previously, different benchmarks were presented by ISSC committees on ultimate strength. The goal has typically been to give guidance to the designer on how to predict the ultimate strength and to indicate what level of accuracy would be expected.This time, the target of this benchmark is to present reliable finite element models to study the behaviour of axially compressed stiffened aluminium panels (including extruded profiles). Main objectives are to compare codes/models and to perform quantitative sensitivity analysis of the ultimate strength of a welded aluminium panel on various parameters (typically the heat-affected zone).Two phases were planned. In Phase A, all members analysed the same structure with a defined set of parameters and using different codes. It was expected that all the codes/models predict the same results. In Phase B, to boost the scope of the analysis, the different members (using their own model) performed FE analyses for a range of variation of different parameters (sensitivity analysis).     

双向正交密加筋板的极限强度预报

采用数值分析方法,对一系列单轴受压的双向正交密加筋板进行了有限元非线性计算。基于有限元数值计算结果和正交异性板理论,引入纵向加强筋的柔度λx、横向加强筋的柔度λy以及密加筋板的柔度β这3个参数变量,提出了关于这3个参数变量的双向正交密加筋板极限强度预报公式。对3种类型加强筋的双向正交密加筋板的极限强度分析结果表明,预报公式结果与有限元计算结果的绝对误差很小,能准确预报双向正交密加筋板的极限强度。     

Comparisons of calculations with experiments on the ultimate strength of wide stiffened panels

Five specimens of wide stiffened panel with four stiffeners under axial compression until collapse are studied with a nonlinear finite element analysis and Common Structural Rules to compare with the experimental results. The stiffened panel models have two longitudinal bays to produce reasonable boundary condition at the end of edges. Tension tests have been conducted to obtain the material properties of the steel that are used in the finite element analysis. Three boundary condition configurations are adopted to investigate their influence on the collapse behaviour of the stiffened panels. A displacement transducer was used to measure the initial geometrical imperfections of the stiffened plates. The collapse behaviour of the stiffened panels is analysed in finite element analysis with the measured initial imperfections and with nominal imperfections. An equivalent initial imperfection is validated for the ultimate strength of stiffened panel under compressive load until collapse for the panels under consideration. With the same imperfection amplitude, the shape of the column-type initial deflection of stiffeners affects significantly the collapse shape, but only slightly the ultimate strength and the mode of collapse of the stiffened panels. The 1/2 + 1 + 1/2 bays model with restrained boundary condition BC3 gives an adequate FE modelling and is possible to be fabricated in experiment.     

初始缺陷对加筋板结构极限强度的影响研究

采用非线性有限元软件Ansys研究包含3种初始缺陷加筋板结构在单轴压缩载荷作用下极限强度的变化趋势,即初始变形、残余应力和凹陷.以单筋单跨加筋板模型为研究对象,考虑初始变形,不同半径及不同速度的撞击球所形成的凹陷及残余应力对加筋板极限强度的影响.结果表明,初始缺陷的存在降低了结构的极限承载力,而且缺陷的叠加作用比单独缺陷存在时对结构极限强度的影响大;加筋板的极限强度随着凹陷深度的加深而减小;3种初始缺陷中,残余应力相对于初始变形和凹陷对结构极限强度的削弱影响更大.     

复合材料锥柱结合壳非线性稳定性特性

根据稳定性分析的前屈曲完全理论和修正型的Hahn－Tsai非线性本构关系，利用有限元位移法，对复合材料锥柱结合壳进行了考虑材料非线性弹性性能的总体稳定性分析，考察了复合材料的横向和剪切非线性对结构总体稳定性的影响．     

Influence of boundary conditions on the collapse behaviour of stiffened panels under combined loads

A series of finite element analyses are conducted to investigate the influence of boundary conditions and geometry of the model on the predicted collapse behaviour of stiffened panels. Periodic and symmetric boundary conditions in the longitudinal direction are used to calculate the ultimate strength of stiffened panels under combined biaxial thrust and lateral pressure. The calculated ultimate strength of stiffened panels are compared with those by different FEM (finite element method) code and are assessed. The periodic boundary condition in the longitudinal direction for two spans or bays model provides an appropriate modelling to a continuous stiffened panel and can consider both odd and even number of half waves and thus, is considered to introduce the smaller model uncertainty for the analysis of a continuous stiffened panel.     

Compartment level progressive collapse analysis of lightweight ship structures

The continued development of large high speed ships, often constructed from aluminium alloy, has raised important issues regarding the response of lightweight hull girders under primary hull girder bending. In particular, the response of lightly framed panels in compression may be influenced by overall panel buckling over several frame spaces. Therefore, to provide improved ultimate strength prediction for lightweight vessels, an extended progressive collapse methodology is proposed. The method has capabilities to predict the strength of a lightweight aluminium midship section including compartment level buckling modes. Nonlinear finite element analysis is used to validate the extended progressive collapse methodology.     

密加筋板结构的稳定性分析

根据密加筋板结构的特点,基于中间有弹性支座连续压杆的稳定性理论分析方法,推导出单向受压密加筋板结构整体失稳时临界载荷的实用计算公式,并与有限元的数值解进行了比较。结果表明,公式形式简单、运用方便、结果准确、便于在工程中实际应用。     

基于广义切线模量理论的铝合金加筋板结构轴压极限强度分析

研究铝合金加筋板结构的极限强度,有利于充分发挥铝合金材料的强度潜力和结构的后屈曲承载能力。本文将广义切线模量理论应用于铝合金加筋板结构的轴压极限强度计算,并推导了适用于加筋板的协调参数、极限弯矩系数及结构系数等相关参数的解析算式,建立了铝合金加筋板结构的强度利用率函数,从而得到结构的极限强度,进一步完善了广义切线模量理论在加筋板结构极限强度研究领域的应用。通过将广义切线模量法计算结果与经验公式、有限元计算结果进行比较,验证了其适用性与可靠性,可用于工程分析计算。     

Ultimate torsional strength of flat-bar stiffeners attached to flat plating under axial compression

A parametric study based on numerical analysis using an efficient non-linear finite element method code is presented for the simulation of the interactive flexural-torsional failure behaviour of flat-bar stiffeners in plates under uniform axial compression. The restraining effect of the structural components on one another is investigated by varying the plate and stiffener slenderness. Initial imperfection levels partinent to marine structures have been accounted for. Strength curves for the allowable stress at the top of the stiffener due to elasto-plastic torsional buckling are given for use with approximate design formulas.     

Influence of residual stresses and geometric imperfections on the elastoplastic collapse of cylindrical tubes under external pressure

The buckling problem of a circular cylindrical shell has long been widely investigated due to its great importance in the design of aerospace and marine structures. Geometric imperfections and residual stresses are inevitable in practice and have been so far frequently considered in analytical and numerical predictions. But little attention has been paid until now on the combined influence of such initial defects on the critical and often unstable response of such elastoplastic structures. In this paper, a shell finite element is designed within the total Lagrangian formulation framework to deal with the elastoplastic buckling and post-buckling of thin cylindrical tubes under external pressure and axial compression. A specific experimental process will be introduced in order to measure residual stresses in the shell very accurately, so as to include them in the numerical calculations. The present formulation will enable us to describe the complete non-linear solutions, namely the critical pressures (bifurcation and limit (collapse) loads), the bifurcation modes and the bifurcated equilibrium branches up to advanced post-critical states. Comparisons will be made between numerical results and the experimental critical value and deformation patterns of a new generation profiler. Furthermore, the combined effects of geometric imperfections, residual stresses and plasticity will be analyzed.     

Instabilities in imperfect thick cones subjected to axial compression and external pressure

The paper presents results of a numerical study into the buckling resistance of geometrically imperfect mild steel cones subjected to: (a) axial compression only, (b) lateral external pressure only, and (c) axial compression and external pressure acting simultaneously.Initial geometric imperfections are taken in the form of the eigenmode, `a single wave' extracted from the eigenmode and localized smooth dimple modelled analytically. Load carrying capacity of imperfect models is computed using the Finite Element proprietory code.Buckling strength of axially compressed and imperfect cone is only 55% of geometrically perfect model. Buckling strength of a cone subjected to lateral pressure, on the other hand, amounts to 43% of the corresponding value of perfect model. But it is the shrinkage of stability plot of imperfect cone which was found to be significant. For imperfect cones subjected to combined axial compression and external pressure, the collapse envelope shrinks by 48% with the elastic sub-set being reduced by 51%.     

A finite element model for flexible pipe armor wire instability

The constructive disposition of metallic and plastic layers confers flexible pipes with high and low axial stiffness respectively when tensile and compressive loads are applied. Under certain conditions typically found during deepwater installation or operation, flexible pipes may be subjected to high axial compression, sometimes accompanied by bending. If not properly designed, the structure may not be able to withstand this loading and fails. From practical experience observed offshore and in laboratory tests two principal mechanisms, which will be discussed in this paper, have been identified regarding the configuration of the armor wires. When the pipe fails by compression the armor wires may exhibit localized lateral or radial deflections, consequently permanent damage is observed in the armor wires with a sudden reduction of the structure’s axial stiffness. The pressure armor may also unlock, thus causing potential fluid leakage.In this work a finite element model is developed to estimate the critical instability load and failure modes. An axi-symmetric model is constructed employing a complex combination of beam and spring elements. For each armor layer only one wire needs to be modeled, hence the computational cost is minimized without compromising the phenomenon characterization. A parametric case study is performed for a typical flexible pipe structure, where the friction coefficient between the wire armors and the external pressure are varied, and the critical instability loads and failure modes are obtained and results are discussed.     

Finite element study on circular armour wire lateral buckling in umbilicals

The present paper addresses the circular armour wire lateral buckling in umbilicals. An asymmetric non-linear finite element model is developed to analyze a single armour wire subjected to combined constant axial compression and uniform cyclic curvatures. A parametric case study is performed for an armour wire from a nine-hose umbilical cable, where the armour wire pitch number, applied axial compressive load and minimum and maximum curvatures in the applied cyclic bending are varied. The armour wire end shortenings, transverse sliding in cyclic bending, the buckling shapes and equilibrium paths after numerous bending cycles, the critical buckling loads, the stress states at the onset of lateral buckling, and the required number of bending cycles that triggers lateral buckling are obtained and extensively discussed. The critical buckling loads given by the FE model have been compared with an existing analytical formulation, indicating that the analytical model is reliable for small cyclic curvatures. Moreover, an empirical model is proposed for the required number of bending cycles to trigger the lateral buckling and good correlation with the FE results has been observed.     

Imperfection study on lateral thermal buckling of subsea pipeline triggered by a distributed buoyancy section

Controlled lateral buckling is triggered by distributed buoyancy section at predesigned sites to release the axial force induced by high temperature and high pressure in subsea pipelines. Due to the larger diameter and smaller submerged weight of distributed buoyancy section, compared to the normal pipe section, imperfections are more easily introduced at the location of distributed buoyancy section. In this study, an analytical model is proposed to simulate lateral buckling triggered by a distributed buoyancy section for an imperfect subsea pipeline, which is validated by test data. Semi-analytical solutions are derived. First, snap-through buckling behaviour is discussed. Then the influence of initial imperfections on buckled configurations, post-buckling behaviour, displacement amplitude and maximum stress is discussed in detail. The results show that there is no snap-through phenomenon for large amplitude of initial imperfections, which appears only when the amplitude of imperfection is small enough. The displacement amplitude increases with the amplitude of initial imperfections, and it first increases and then decreases with wavelength of initial imperfection. Compared to a perfect pipeline, the maximum stress amplifies for relative small wavelength of initial imperfections. Therefore, a large enough wavelength of initial imperfection should be introduced.     

Ultimate strength assessment of stiffened panel under uni-axial compression with non-linear equivalent single layer approach

Steel stiffened panels are widely used in engineering design and construction. However, numerical modeling and analysis effort for a three-dimensional (3D) stiffened panel may be notable, especially for the ultimate limit state of ship structures. Therefore, a homogenization method is outlined that transforms 3D stiffened panel into an Equivalent Single Layer (ESL) concerning the same mechanical behavior. ESL stiffnesses are obtained with a unit cell analyses based on stiffened panel where periodicity is imposed with boundary conditions based on a first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT). Stiffnesses were determined from the first derivative of a membrane force and bending moment obtained with numerical simulations. The effect of initial imperfection shape was included in the analysis to account for local and global buckling behavior. ESL with non-linear stiffness was implemented in Abaqus UGENS subroutine, allowing incremental evaluation of stiffness. Ultimate strength prediction of a steel grillage model with ESL finite element analysis was in excellent agreement with detailed 3D FEM analysis. The key in this analysis was consideration of non-linear ESL stiffness as linear analysis was unable to detect the point where ultimate strength capacity of the grillage was reached.     

A computational investigation of the effects of both-sides general corrosion on the buckling/plastic collapse behaviour and strength of stiffened plates

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the post-buckling behaviour and ultimate strength of imperfect corroded stiffened steel plates used in ships and other marine-related structures. A series of elastic–plastic large deflection finite element analyses is performed on stiffened steel plates suffering general corrosion wastage with random distribution. General corrosion is introduced into the finite element models using a random thickness surface model. The effects of corroded stiffened plate parameters on the post-buckling and ultimate strengths are evaluated in detail. The stiffeners of different symmetrical or unsymmetrical cross-sections are introduced into the models for analysis. Some distinctions are explored and highlighted between the behaviours of steel plates suffering general corrosion in unstiffened and stiffened cases. Finally, a proposal is given in order to simulate the average stress–average strain relationship of stiffened steel plates having both-surface general corrosion wastage.     

单轴压缩下多开口甲板板架稳定性试验及数值仿真

为了揭示多开口设置对结构轴向受压稳定性的影响规律,本文设计并制作了甲板和舷侧同时布置开口的双层板架结构模型,开展了其轴向受压极限承载能力试验。借助非线性有限元软件ABAQUS对该模型的失稳破坏过程进行了数值仿真计算,通过对比分析实验数据和数值计算结果,确定了导致整个板架结构屈曲失效的主要原因,为相同类型的甲板结构的稳定性设计工作提供了一定的参考依据。     

无加筋平板极限强度的简化解析法与规范公式的比较

无加筋板是船舶结构的主要构件之一，船舶结构强度校核的一项重要内容就是校核各平板单元是否具备足够的强度储备。最近几年，作者们采用弹性大挠度理论和刚塑性分析相结合的简化解析方法，曾给出了板和加筋板格在联合载荷作用下的极限强度计算公式，并与部分实验值相比，吻合较好，但没有与目前船级社所采用的规范计算公式作过比较。现作这一比较工作，也包括与有限元分析的比较；同时对以前所开发的简化解析法又作了进一步的改进，文章报道这一改进结果。最后，采用上述三种方法，对影响平板极限强度的几个主要参数进行了研究，结果表明，简化解析法与规范计算公式吻合较好。     

大深度潜水器开孔耐压壳的极限强度研究

钛合金制深海载人潜水器耐压壳上面设有人孔、观察窗等多个开孔,而这些开孔又会削弱耐压壳的极限强度,又因为耐压壳工作的环境是几千米的深海中,所以了解其主要承压结构耐压壳的极限强度有重要的意义,也是设计者所必须关注的问题。本文利用ABAQUS有限元软件对开孔耐压球壳的极限强度进行了非线性有限元分析,计算了开孔的大小及加强围壁参数的变化对壳体极限强度的影响。计算结果表明,随着孔径的增大和围壁厚度的减小其极限强度成下降趋势。