Collapase analysis of ship hulls

This paper presents an efficient finite element procedure for the collapse analysis of ship hulls under complicated loads. A set of finite elements, such as beam-column elements, stiffened plate elements, and shear panel elements are developed, directly accounting for the geometrical and material non-linearities and initial imperfections.

Elastic-plastic stiffness matrices for elements have been derived by combining elastic large displacement analysis theories with a plastic hinge model. The buckling and post-buckling behaviour of plates is included using an effective width concept. The procedure is effective, since few mode-points are necessary and numerical integration for evaluating stiffness matrices is avoided. Fracture mechanics criteria are introduced in order to account for tension tearing rupture and brittle failure of the material.

Practical applications to ultimate longitudinal strength analysis of ship hulls and tanker collision analysis are presented. The procedure can also be used for collapse analysis of offshore and onshore structures.