Development of a new efficient stiffened plate element for dynamic analysis of a three-dimensional ship structure

Abstract

The dynamic analysis of a complete ship structure is presented using a new stiffened plate element to model the hull plating, bulkheads, decks and other parts. The analysis is based on three-dimensional modelling of the complete vessel, and the hydrodynamic loads are computed using a panel method (based on linear diffraction theory). The stiffened plate element can elegantly accommodate any number of arbitrarily oriented stiffeners and obviates the use of mesh lines along the longitudinals and transverses. It enhances the flexibility in mesh generation over the hull components. Analysis is limited to zero forward speed and head sea conditions only. As an example, three-dimensional dynamic analysis of a bulk carrier with an accurate treatment of stiffeners is presented. Results in terms of stress amplitudes are presented for several wave frequencies. The present method provides a unique, elegant and economic way for three-dimensional dynamic analysis of complete ship structures.