DYNAMIC INELASTIC BEHAVIOR OF PLATES IN MINOR SHIP COLLISIONS

Experimental and numerical work is reported on the problem of the dyna mic response of plates under line-impact load with the aim of identify ing some important parameters involved in ship collisions using a simp lified model. In the numerical simulation the side structure of a stru ck ship is simplified as a fully clamped rectangular plate and the str iking vessel as a rigid knife-edge indentor. The collision is classifi ed as ''minor'' in which no rupture of the plate occurs. The striking ship is of relatively small mass but has relatively large velocities. Numerical predictions favourably match the results from impact experim ents on clamped plates and on small scale ship models. The combined wo rk of numerical analysis and experimental investigation gives a better understanding of the collision process, especially the dynamic stress and strain aspect of ship plating in collisions.