Dynamic inelastic behaviour of plates in minor ship collisions

Abstract

Summary Experimental and numerical work is reported on the problem of the dynamic response of plates under line-impact load with the aim of identifying some important parameters involved in ship collisions using a simplified model. In the numerical simulation the side structure of a struck ship is simplified as a fully clamped rectangular plate and the striking vessel as a rigid knife-edge indentor. The collision is classified as “minor” in which no rupture of the plate occurs. The striking ship is of relatively small mass but has relatively large velocities. Numerical predictions favourably match the results from impact experiments on clamped plates and on small scale ship models. The combined work of numerical analysis and experimental investigation gives a better understanding of the collision process, especially the dynamic stress and strain aspect of ship plating in collisions.