Structural response analysis of slamming impact on free fall lifeboats

The evaluation of impact induced slamming loads experienced by ships and offshore structures using advanced fluid structure interaction methods may be a challenging task involving complex and time consuming engineering solutions. This is the reason why to date the application of well understood and validated quasi-response approaches remains the most rational alternative used by experts for preliminary design assessment. Based on a benchmark study carried out by the International Ship and Offshore Structures Congress Technical Committee 11.1 on Quasi-Static Response this paper demonstrates the practical use of quasi-response prediction methods for the assessment of impact loads on modern free fall lifeboats. The case study presented is considered relevant in terms of technical background and ship design for safety. Following a brief review rationalising the practical relevance of the engineering solutions examined, the influence of high speed impact is evaluated using linear-elastic and nonlinear beam models, as well as a nonlinear transient dynamic finite element analysis idealisation. Comparisons of the methods presented against experimental results led to the conclusion that the nonlinear quasi-dynamic beam approach accounts for the influence of the dynamic effects of strain by suitably idealising the effects of nonlinear geometric stiffness. It may therefore be more appropriate to employ this approach at preliminary stage, especially when conducting comparisons against simplistic linear methods used for rigid structures (e.g. stiffened steel and aluminium panels), or advanced nonlinear finite element analysis and other multi-physics methods that may be computationally complex and time consuming. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.