Analytical and Numerical Analyses of Partially Submerged Membranes

The presented work investigates the deformed shape and tensile state of inflated membranes partially submerged in fluid. The understanding of membrane behavior is of primary concern in marine-related problems, as well as other fields. This analysis is motivated by the flexible seals of surface effect ships and inflatable pontoons. A new exact solution for the governing differential equations and a new finite-element approach are developed. The stiffness influence coefficient method is used to derive the stiffness of the curved elements in which the end nodal displacements define the degrees of freedom. The methods of analysis are shown to provide two-dimensional results that are in excellent agreement in terms of both deformed geometry and membrane tension. (C) 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.