Procedures of Fatigue Analysis by Supporting Direct Load Application on Midship Sections

Abstract

Fatigue evaluation of ship structures using direct calculation methods to calculate fatigue loads are standard practice today. There are several numerical codes available for use in analyses of these fatigue loads. In addition to the varying degrees of computational complexity associated with fatigue prediction methods, the inherent uncertainties of these procedures are also large. This paper introduces the procedure for stochastic fatigue analysis of typical midship models with direct load transfer applied, where an oil tanker is considered. It also covers a comparison of the results with the component-based approach included in the DNVGL Class Note 30.7: “Fatigue Assessment of Ship Structures”. The "real" case analysis includes both internal pressure loads from tank fluids as well as external pressure adjusted for wet and dry surfaces in the waterline area, according to DNVGL Class Note 30.7. Local fine mesh models of fatigue details have been analysed using the sub-modelling technique. The procedure performs well on a typical midship model apart from the file sizes of the generated load transfer files. With 25 wave periods and 12 different headings, the analysed 3-cargo-hold model (1/2 + 1 + 1/2) in the midship area had to be split into four super elements in order to get the analysis through finite element analyses. The procedure is suitable for vessels where warping (torsion) is of less importance. The described procedures are supported by a developed tool to be used in the analysis procedures. Three details of local fine mesh models such as deck erection butt weld, longitudinal stiffener through web-frame, and bottom erection butt weld have been analysed. The results have been compared with the component-based approach. For some of the details there are comparable results, but for others the results vary significantly. The typical trend is that the details heavily influenced by the external pressure (side longitudinal) give less comparable results than e.g. a detail in the main deck mainly influenced by global loads. A comparison of the effect of reducing versus not reducing the pressure amplitude in the waterline on the fatigue life has also been performed and discussed.