Abstract

Collision simulation of river-sea ship is accomplished based on nonlinear finite element method. Firstly, we discuss the development of collision analysis methods including theoretical methods, empirical formula method, experimental techniques and numerical analysis methods, and introduce the Central Difference Method adopted in the collision simulation. Then, model of ship structure and rigid sphere structure are established, through taking into account the suitability for collision simulation of ship structure, we adopt Cowper-Symonds constitutive equation as the material characteristics and maximum equivalent plasticity as the failure criterion. Finally, collision-resistant performance of riversea ship is simulated through collisions between ship structure and rigid sphere structure at cargo centre and cargo end. Simulation results indicate that damage extent of river-sea ship depends on collision speed primarily, with the increase of collision speed, collision force increases accordingly, local structure invalidates and local damage occurs. Comparison between collision at cargo centre and collision at cargo end shows that the improvement of structural rigidity is effective to increase collision-resistant performance. Such, it is necessary to make evaluation on collision-resistant performance and strengthen the structures easily collided for ship designed according to specification, especially for the ship with single side structure. The research is of great guiding significance to hull structure design, and it is beneficial to increase security of the same type ship.