Local structural analysis for container ships

Abstract

Container ships presents highly stressed local structures under the corners of containers stack, which need rigorous analysis from rigidity and stress point of view. High value concentrated forces require the use of high strength steels or thick structural elements, for their analysis was used in this article FEM analysis with volume elements. An inland navigation barge was used as a case study and 40 ft containers were considered in order to analyze the situation with the greatest forces at the feet of containers. The investigated solutions for containers foundation are applicable for new ships and also for modernization of existing vessels. Technological and strength aspects were compared for different types of solution, that have to comply with specific Rules and need to satisfy production constrains of the Shipyards.