Dynamic Behavior of Steel and Composite Ferry Subjected to Transverse Eccentric Moving Load Using Finite Element Analysis

The most important problems confronted by designers of floating structures are minimizing weight and increasing payload to get proper resistance to the applied loads. In the present study, the structural performance of a ferry is analyzed using both metallic and composite materials as a result of the dynamic load of the Military Load Capacity (MLC) 70 (tank load). The model is composed of sixteen floating pontoons. Finite element simulation and dynamic analysis were performed using ANSYS software (analysis system software), considering a moving MLC70 (tank load). Both concentric and eccentric cases of loading are considered. Draft, deformation, and stresses are obtained and investigated. For the steel ferry, the von-Mises stresses are investigated, while for the composite ferry, the maximum principal stresses are investigated. Furthermore, buckling analysis is performed on the composite ferry and the buckling load factor is determined. The results of the dynamic analysis illustrated that the transverse eccentricity of the moving tank MLC70 must not exceed 0.5 m for a steel ferry while it may reach up to 1.5 m for the composite ferry. This research can also be a useful tool in the design of floating composite and steel ferries.