Longitudinal strength assessment of damaged box girders

Benson, S; Syrigou, M; Dow, RS

doi:10.1201/b14915-37

Longitudinal strength assessment of damaged box girders

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Simon Benson, Maria Syrigou, Professor Bob Dow

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Abstract

The residual ultimate strength of a damaged ship can be an important criterion to assess in the immediate aftermath of an accident where the hull is ruptured or excessively distorted. This is particularly essential when the continuous stiffening of the longitudinal hull girder is compromised. The corresponding loss in longitudinal strength may mean the damaged ship is at risk of experiencing excessive bending moments to cause collapse of the hull girder. Reliable and quick numerical approaches to assess damage ultimate strength, such as the Smith progressive collapse method, are thus essential for recoverability and survivability decision making in the event of an accident. However, established methodologies are not necessarily accurate in determining the longitudinal strength of a vessel with severe damage extending over several frame spaces. Therefore, this paper investigates the use of the progressive collapse method to assess the strength of several box girder models with different levels of ruptured damage applied. The girders are analysed using the Smith method and compared to equivalent nonlinear finite element analyses. The area and location of the damage is systematically investigated to show the effect of both the transverse and longitudinal extent of the rupture. These are compared to the Smith method, where only transverse damage extent can be represented. As a result, the requirements for further development of extended progressive collapse methodologies which can account for damage will be discussed.