MATEC Web of Conferences 68, 02007 (2016) DOI: 10.

1051/ matecconf/20166802007
ICIEA 2016

Design Method of Hull Structure Model for Ultimate Strength Test

1,2 2
Huanxiang Sun , Jin Gan
1
Key Laboratory of High Performance Ship Technology of Ministry of Education, Wuhan University of Technology, China
2
Departments of Naval Architecture, Ocean and Structural Engineering, School of Transportation, Wuhan University of Technology, China

Abstract. Based on the several practical research on real ship hull ultimate strength model test, a design method of
hull structure model for ultimate strength test, which combine the numerical simulation analysis with a similar model
design are proposed.

1 Introduction
Ships are large complex engineering structures. The
ultimate strength of hull structure is considered as an
important factor for evaluation of hull structure safety
margin, and it must be checked in structure design and
strength evaluation [1], [2]. There are two main methods,
include numerical calculation and structural test, which
are used to evaluate the ultimate strength of hull structure.
Represented by Smith method and nonlinear finite
element method, the numerical calculation has made
abundant achievements [3], [4]. However, due to the Figure 1. Experimental study on mono-hull ship.
complexity of hull structure and its load bearing, the
numerical approach is hard to predict the ultimate
strength of hull girder accurately. Consequently, the
structure model experimental study is particularly
important for ship engineering. The failure process is
very complex, because hull girder is a complex space
thin-walled structure. Through the model test of hull
structure, the collapse process could be directly observed
and its failure mechanism could be analysed [5], [6].
Additionally, the available experimental results could be
used to verify and improve the accuracy and reliability of
other numerical methods.
Figure 2. Experimental study on SWATH ship.
The ship structure laboratory of Wuhan University of
Technology has been working on the hull structure
strength tests for long time. Combined with model tests
and numerical calculation methods, many experimental
studies on the ultimate strength of various ship types,
such as mono-hull ship, SWATH ship [7], Trimaran ship
[8] and river-sea ship [9], have been completed in recent
years. The test photos are shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4.
Meanwhile, abundant research achievements have been
obtained both in design and manufacture of similarity
models, and the ultimate strength of several ships with
special types have been predicted. In this paper, the
design method of hull ultimate strength text model should Figure 3. Experimental study on trimaran ship.
be introduced in detail.

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MATEC Web of Conferences 68, 02007 (2016) DOI: 10.1051/ matecconf/20166802007
ICIEA 2016

small scale will decrease the reliability and accuracy of

model structure. So if we apply the bending load to the
model, the buckling must be occurred in the part where
it’s structural strength weakest. But in actual situation,
the buckling of real ship depends on specific load
conditions of each section. So if we want to locate the
dangerous section exactly, we should adopt multi-node
loading to simulate the real load situation. Because of the
complexity and uncertainties of the ultimate strength
research, the selection of risky section of hull girder is
one of the keys of the model design. Because of the
Figure 4. Experimental study on river-sea ship complexity of the ship lines and structure, the section
structures in different part vary greatly. Under different
working conditions the load distribution along the ship
2 Similarity analysis of structural model will also be different, so we should calculate the ultimate
strength of typical sections to identify the location of
The reliability and accuracy have been confirmed by a lot dangerous ones for the further design. Before determining
of experiments that setting the length L and thickness δ the experimental cabin model, we could use numerical
as the basic parameters in thin-walled structure modelling calculation method (Smith method, nonlinear finite
design. Usually, this kind of model is called distortion element method) or standard method to identify
model. When design the ship hull ultimate strength dangerous sections of whole ship under different working
experiment model, the length L, thickness δ and force F conditions. The experimental cabin model could be
are chose to be the basic physical quantities of obtained by extending the section, then four-point bend
dimensional analysis, therefore the basic dimensional loading experiment could be conducted and the ultimate
system could be expressed as [F, L, δ ]. According to the strength of the model could be observed. Furthermore,
characteristics of the ultimate strength of hull structure the real ship’s capacity could be predicted. According to
experiment, the similarity criterion relation in model this method, we avoid experiment result error leading by
design could be derived via dimensional analysis. the complexity of model. Also, numerical calculation
Due to the length dimensions [F] of the dimension method could be optimized according to the experiment
matrix in the index of various physical quantities are zero. results.
And modulus of elasticity E is the intrinsic parameter of
material and has no relationship with the external force.
3.2 Model similarity scale
In this case, the value of the external force should not
essential influence on the inner mechanism of the After determining the risky section, the structure design
experiment. In the test condition, it is hard to make the of the model section should be carried out under the
load as same as the actual one, because the ships are condition of similarity criterion, which is the basic
subjected to the shear force and the bending moment requirement of the general static strength model in
under the real condition with the static water and the structure design. Considering the characteristics of the
wave. Although the amplitude and the distribution of ultimate strength, the size and number of bars of the
shear force and bending moment in the full range of ship stiffened plate should be rationally allocated in the scale
could be got in the design phase, it is usually limited by model, which could ensure the stiffened plate grids have
test conditions to achieve this parabolic form distribution the approximate stability between the model and ship.
of the shear force and bending moment in the model. For Finally the model of the real ship section and the test
load similarity, the load distribution is simplified to apply section model could meet the similar conditions in the
to the model in practice. For the boundary conditions essence of the similar phenomenon. Considering the
similarity, the actual movement of the ship in water could several factors such as the manufacture process of steel
not be simulated in the laboratory. Considering the model, the actual purchase of plate models, the
factors above, in the model test, the way of model design laboratorial loading capacity and the restrictions of field
is that guaranteeing the boundary as far as possible from testing, the value of the similar thickness constant Cδ is
the core area of the model, imposing the boundary suggested between 3:1 and 5:1, and the value of the
conditions at both ends of the extended range, and t similarity scale constant CL is suggested between 6:1 and
minimizing the influence of boundary conditions on the 10:1 by the experience of hull structure model tests in our
experimental results according to the Saint-Venant research team for years.
principle.

3.3 Model structure design

3 Structure model design
The most dangerous section of real ship is chosen to be
the research object in test, and the test results could be
3.1. Scale cabin model design used to predict the ultimate bending moment of the target
If the cabin model was designed based on several section. In view of the above approach, the whole test
sections, the stiffness in different parts is variable, and a model consists of one test section and two load sections,

2
MATEC Web of Conferences 68, 02007 (2016) DOI: 10.1051/ matecconf/20166802007
ICIEA 2016

and the test load is four-point pure bending. The test the precision of the model. For guaranteeing the precision
section of model structure is designed as the dangerous of hull model, several measures are advised as follows:
section of real ship by the similarity theory. The load All components of the test model are trying to use
sections added at both ends of the test section could shear or frilled edge process, and less to use cutter knife
provide suitable loading and boundary conditions, and and welding set.
could ensure the accuracy of the test results. Prefabricate and correct the shell parts and internal
By the conditions of similarity criterion, the section of frames, and choose the proper assembly procedures
real ship and model should meet the following similarity which need to control the welding procedure strictly on
ratio: the assembly platform.
Lines lofting and frame assembly should be located
CI CL3CG (1) strictly in the process. Minimize the weld length under
the premise of reliable connection and effective force
where CI is the ratio of section moment of inertia, CL is
transfer, and select the effective electrode and the best
the similarity ratio of the section geometry and Cδ is
welding current at the same time.
the similarity ratio of the section thickness of real ship to Conduct dimensional checks in every working
model. procedure during the components assembling, and correct
If the above similarity criterion is met, the section the detected problems timely.
bending rigidity of real ship and model will be similar,
which makes the same section deformation and curvature
of real ship and model under similar bending moment. 5 Conclusions
According to the assumption of plane section, the strain
of profiles in different location is shown as follows: Structure model design and manufacture are vital to the
ultimate strength test of hull structures. The ship hull
yi structure models are designed by the method, which
Hi (2)
U combined numerical calculation and structural similarity
analysis, have been applied to ultimate strength model
tests and the similarities prediction of real ships
where ε i is the strains in different section area, yi is the successfully. The method has been used effectively to
distance between component and neutral axis in different evaluate the ultimate strength of ship structures. Due to
section area and ρ is the bending radius of curvature for the complexity of ultimate strength problem for ship
hull girder. structures, the study is not completed yet and more work
According to the formula Eq. 1 and Eq. 2, the height need to be done.
of natural axis and the stress distribution of real ship and The similarity model is designed based on the linear
model must have the similarity ratio. The plate thickness elastic theory, but the structure model of ultimate strength
in different locations has different thickness ratio, and the test involves the geometrical nonlinearity and material
geometry sizes of section also meet the geometric nonlinearity, so, the conversion from the experimental
similarity ratio. The preliminary determination of result to real ship is the main problem need to overcome
stiffeners sizes should satisfy the requirements as the in further study.
following equation: With the development of ship type and the application
of new material, the ultimate strength problem of ship
I gs structure should become more and more complex.
CI CL3CG (3)
I gm Considering the coupled effects longitudinal bending,
transverse bending and torsion, the ultimate strength of
where Igs is the section moment of inertia for stiffeners hull structure still need our further study.
with ribband in real ship, and Igm is the section moment
of inertia for stiffeners with ribband in test model.
In accordance with the model section design criteria References
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ICIEA 2016

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