Rational structural design of Nile barges

Abstract

This paper has demonstrated the design aspects for inland water units working in the River Nile. The acting loads and stresses induced within the structural elements of Nile barges are still water bending moment and stresses, local hydrostatic pressure and local stresses. The objective of this work is to rationalize the design procedure using the actual data of loads, weights and design procedure. The rational structural analysis includes the elastic and plastic stresses analyses of a unit. It composed from different stages of analyses such as primary, secondary and tertiary analysis in addition to the plastic analysis. Applied this approach on an existing barge will lead to significant reduction in steel weight of the barge without violating the safety of the structure. Accordingly, the cargo carrying capacity will increase which can economically have an effect on all terms of transportation business.