Dynamic response analysis of ship hull structures

Finite-element modeling and use of appropriate analytical techniques play a significant role in producing a reliable and economic design for ship hull structures subjected to dynamic loading. The paper presents investigations carried out for the dynamic response analysis of ship hull structures using the finite-element method. A simple and efficient interactive graphical preprocessing technique based on the keynode concept and assembly-line procedure is used to develop the finite-element model of the hull structure. The technique makes use of the body plan of a ship hull to build the finite-element model through an interactive session. Stiffened plate/shell finite elements suitable to model the hull structure are formulated and used to model the structure. The finite elements take into account arbitrary placement of stiffeners in an element without increasing the number of degrees-of-freedom of the element. A three-dimensional finite-element model and a procedure based on the Bubnov-Galerkin residual approach are employed to evaluate the effects of interaction between the ship hull and water. Mode superposition technique is used to conduct the dynamic response analysis. The efficiency of the finite elements and the procedures is demonstrated through dynamic analysis of a submerged cantilever plate and a barge when both are subjected to sinusoidal forces. The dynamic responses exhibit expected behavior of the structure and a comparison with the results available in the literature indicate superior performance of the finite element and methodologies developed. Thus, the finite-element models and the procedures are found to be efficient and hence suitable for the dynamic analysis of similar structures.