Finite element analysis of ship structures using a new stiffened plate element

A new stiffened plate element is developed for the three-dimensional finite element analysis of ship structures. The plate element can accommodate any number of arbitrarily oriented stiffeners and obviates the use of mesh lin es along the stiffeners. The new element provides a very economic global an alysis of the complete ship structure with fewer elements and without any l oss of accuracy. The global analysis of a rectangular box shaped vessel is carried out with the present element and compared with the general-purpose finite element software NISA. An Offshore Tug/Supply Vessel is analysed for crest at perpendiculars. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.