Numerical Study on the Residual Ultimate Strength of Hull Girder of a Bulk Carrier After Ship-Ship Collision

The purpose of the present study is to investigate residual Ultimate Longitudinal Strength (ULS) of bulk carriers after ship-ship collision. A series of a large-scale explicit finite element analysis (FEA) as well as simplified analysis (SA) are carried out using a cape size bulk carrier. In order to accurately investigate collapse mechanism of “damaged ships” under vertical bending moment nonlinear FEA are carried out where two steps analysis is adopted. First step is ship-ship collision analysis; Second step is ULS analysis of the damaged ship. Ship-ship collision analysis is carried out assuming the right angle collision at the midship region of the struck ship, and damage extent of the struck ship is estimated with varying collision speed of 3kt, 6kt, 9kt and 12kt. In the second step of analysis, residual ULS analysis is carried out taking into account residual stress and deformation of the struck ship caused by ship-ship collision. Collapse mechanism of the bulk carrier in damaged condition due to sagging moment as well as combination of longitudinal and horizontal bending moment is investigated and discussed in detail. ULS of hull girder of the bulk carrier in intact condition is also estimated and compared with that in damaged condition. The effect of damaged condition on the reduction of ULS is discussed in detail. Finally some of numerical methodologies are summarized in assessing residual ULS of hull girder after collision.