Finite element modelling of steel bridge structures exposed to ship collisions

Abstract

The behavior of the Bressan-Williams-Hill fracture criterion (BWH), which is often used in simulating ship collisions, was studied by modeling and studying existing experiments done on the subject. Three experiments are evaluated with the BWH criterion using both the middle integration point, as originally intended, and the first integration point through the thickness. A mesh scaling technique is also used and evaluated for both cases.

Numerical models are made for two of the experiments chosen, while the last model was received. All models are compared to the existing experiments, mainly by comparing the force-displacement curves.

The BWH criterion showed acceptable results for most of the cases, but was more conservative than initially expected. Using the first integration point instead of the middle, gives even more conservative results for these cases. The mesh scaling technique shows overall satisfactory results.