Structural strength analysis of car Ro-Ro ship with different flexible support decks under racking condition

  Objectives  The problem of transverse strength of car Ro-Ro ship under racking condition is studied.

  Methods  seven kinds of flexible support decks were designed based on the finite element software MSC PATRAN/NASTRAN to study the influence of different flexible support decks on the structural strength of car Ro-Ro ships. According to the guidance document of Det Norske Veritas(DNV), the structural strength of the car Ro-Ro ship cabin of different designs was evaluated. By analyzing the stress magnitude and distribution of the hull structure, the influence of different flexible support deck designs on the strength of the structure of the car Ro-Ro ship cabin was compared.

  Results  Results show that different position of the initial layer of the flexible support deck will have a certain impact on the strength of the hull structure, and there is a phenomenon of significantly increased stress in the area between the flexible support deck and the rigid one.

  Conclusions  The study in this paper can provide reference for the design and construction of similar ships.