Simulation of ship grounding damage using the finite element method

This paper presents a comparison with experimental data of the resistance of stiffened panels to penetration damage. It also carried out comparisons between numerical simulations and experiments investigating the grounding of ships. The finite element method and FEA software are used to predict penetration damage and this modelling simulation is then extended to investigate damage to a ship's double bottom structure in different grounding scenarios. The progressive failure of the double bottom is investigated in terms of plastic deformation and also the evolution of damage including material rupture. Three different levels of complexity were used in modelling the double bottom structure concerning the inner and outer shell plating; longitudinal stiffeners in the shell plating, and structures with stiffening in longitudinal floors. The analysis was carried out in the ABAQUS explicit code. The results presented include the crushing force as a function of time, an investigation of the energies involved in the plastic deformation and rupture of the double bottom structure, and comparisons with experimental data where available. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.