Analytical Method for Evaluating the Impact Response of Stiffeners in a Ship Side Shell Subjected to Bulbous Bow Collision

This paper addresses a simplified analytical method for evaluating the impact responses of the stiffeners in a ship side shell subjected to head-on collision by a bulbous bow. The stiffeners are classified as the “central stiffener” and the “lateral stiffener” according to their relative position to the bulbous bow. In analytical predictions, it is assumed that the flexural bending of the central stiffener and plate occurs simultaneously. However, the deformation mode of the central stiffener outside the indenter contact region is simplified as linear to derive its deformation resistance. The curved deformation mode of the lateral stiffener is proposed to calculate the deformation resistance and to consider the interaction effect with the plate, which can cause the plate to fracture earlier. Model tests with three specimens (one unstiffened plate for reference and two stiffened plates) quasistatically punched by a conical indenter are performed to validate the proposed analytical method. Resistance-penetration curves and damage shapes for the three specimens are obtained. The experimental results illustrate the effects of the stiffeners on the deformation resistance and fracture initiation of the stiffened plate and the influence of stiffener tripping on the lateral resistance. Moreover, the experimental and analytical predicted results correspond well, suggesting that the proposed analytical method can accurately predict the crashworthiness of a ship side shell subjected to bulbous bow collision.