Experimental and numerical investigation on the influence of stiffeners on the crushing resistance of web girders in ship grounding.

Abstract A series of small-scale specimens of unstiffened and stiffened web girders were designed and tested by applying local imposed deformations by an indenter. These quasi-static experiments were to investigate the crushing behaviour of vertical stiffeners in web girders. Finite element (FE) models are established to calculate the crushing deformations and to analyse the energy absorbing mechanisms. Good agreement is observed between the numerical results and experimental measurements, leading to the conclusion that the FE model developed in the current investigation can be effectively used to predict the crushing behaviour of ship structures in stranding. It is concluded that the vertical stiffeners play an important role in the crushing resistance of the structures, especially have significant influence on the reaction force. Comparing with the unstiffened web girder, the maximum force measured in the tests increased by 17% and 64% in the stiffened webs with 2 and 3 stiffeners, respectively. Discussions on the effects of friction coefficient, the thickness of stiffener, and the determination of failure criterion using in FE simulations are also included. Highlights • Small scaled specimens of unstiffened and stiffened web girders from a tanker double bottom floor were designed and tested. • A series of experiments were conducted to investigate the crushing behaviour of vertical stiffeners in web girders. • Finite element (FE) models are established to calculate the crushing deformations and energy absorption. • Good agreement is observed between the numerical results and experimental measurements. • It is concluded the vertical stiffeners play an important role in the crushing resistance of the structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]