Structural Influence of the Cargo Holds of a 3000 m3 Wellboat on a Double-Bottom Floor

Abstract

In order to reduce weight and facilitate maintenance, servicing and inspection, ship structures usually have openings and cutouts. However, these modifications frequently weaken the plates’ ability to buckle. In this work, the combined effects of geometric discontinuities (such as openings and cutouts) under diverse in-plane loads (such as horizontal compression, vertical compression, biaxial compression, and in-plane edge shear loading) are taken into consideration as the perforated plates located in the double-bottom floor of a 3000 m3 wellboat are investigated for their linear and elastic buckling behavior. In order to assess the effects of various stiffening methods and their interactions with different load scenarios, as well as fluctuating plate slenderness ratios, the research combines experimental and numerical analyses. This thorough study identifies the best stiffening technique and suggests alternative geometries that minimize structural weight through topology optimization. The research’s findings are helpful in comprehending the mechanisms underlying structural failure and in offering design and recommendation guidelines that enhance hull inspections and the assessment of structural flaws.