Deterministic and probabilistic assessment of the critical buckling strength of ships’ grillages (gross panels).

An analytical method for control of the strength of a grillage (gross panel) under unidirectional in-plane axial load is proposed. It allows us to solve the following tasks: (i) calculation of the critical stiffness of transverse girders, (ii) calculation of the maximum unidirectional in-plane compression load when the structure's scantlings are known (iii) and calculation of the required structure's scantlings when the unidirectional in-plane compression load is given. The proposed procedure is helpful in the application of probabilistic methods without employing specialised computer programmes, which is an advantage when fast (although approximate) evaluation is needed for the grillage critical buckling strength (e.g. ship's deck structure) before applying the finite-element method (FEM) analysis. Results of analytical approach are compared and confirmed using FEM data. A probabilistic method for control of the strength of ship's deck structure under unidirectional in-plane axial load is proposed. It allows us to assess the effect of deterioration due to corrosion on the deck's buckling strength while avoiding the use of specialised computer programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]