Low-velocity impact behaviour and failure of stiffened steel plates. (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gruben, G.; Sølvernes, S.; Berstad, T.; Morin, D.; Hopperstad, O.S.; Langseth, M.
• Is Part Of: Marine structures. Volume 54(2017)
• Page Start: 73
• Page End: 91
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: Impact load -- Stiffened plates -- Finite element method -- Fracture; Naval architecture -- Periodicals; Offshore structures -- Periodicals; Architecture navale -- Périodiques; Structures offshore -- Périodiques; Naval architecture; Offshore structures; Periodicals; 620.4162
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marstruc.2017.03.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-8339

Abstract

Abstract: The behaviour and failure of stiffened steel plates subjected to transverse loading by an indenter is studied in this paper. Low-velocity dynamic and quasi-static tests of stiffened plates with geometry adopted from a typical external deck area on an offshore platform were conducted. The results show that the quasi-static tests provide a good reference for impact loading situations, although they displayed a larger displacement at fracture. Finite element simulations of the steel panel tests were performed, using the elastic-viscoplastic J 2 flow theory and a one-parameter fracture criterion. A relatively fine spatial discretization in the load application area was needed to capture accurately the onset of fracture. In order to locally refine the mesh, a method for automatic mesh refinement based on damage driven h-adaptivity was implemented and evaluated against results obtained with fixed meshes of various element sizes. Highlights: Stiffened steel plates subjected to quasi-static and dynamic transversal loading are presented. The quasi-static tests provide a good reference for impact loading situations. A fine spatial discretization is needed to capture accurately the onset of fracture. A method for automatic mesh refinement is presented and evaluated.