Objectives  In order to improve the accuracy of local strength checking of ships for loading tracked vehicles, reduce the occurrence of ship deformation or even fractures caused by heavy loads, and realize the safe transportation of heavy military equipment,

  Methods  the various forces(including gravity, securing force, inertial force, wave force, wind pressure and friction)of a tracked vehicle are analyzed. Combining the characteristic grillage structure of ship decks and considering the adverse effects of corrosion on ship hulls, an improved method for local strength checking is proposed, and correction formulae for stability checking and strength checking obtained using engineering mechanics.

  Results  Through the validation of examples, it is found that the accuracy of the correction formulae is greater than that of the uncorrected formula.

  Conclusions  The application of such correction formulae to the strength checking of ships may effectively prevent accidents, thus providing valuable technical references for the transport of tracked vehicles by merchant ship.