Dynamic Buckling Strength Assessment of Containership’s Bow Structures Subjected to Bow Flare Slamming

The objective of this paper is to analyze the structural dynamic buckling strength of bow structure of a 1,700 TEU container vessel subjected to slamming impact force using finite element method (FEM). The slamming impact load formula suggested by Lloyd’s Register (LR) is used to assess the reliable value of impact force acting on the bow structure. To determine the critical buckling strength of a structure, two methods were developed—a one-time thickness deformation method and a buckling failure method—and are suggested to be used in the future as an industry standard. Various reasons for the causes of structure buckling damage are discussed, including magnitude of impact load, impact duration time and wave impact pattern. The result demonstrates that impact force integration under impact force-time curve is one of the crucial factors for structure dynamic buckling assessment. In the consideration of structure design optimization, this study compares efficient solutions to increase the structure buckling strength. Additionally, this study provides a clear picture of structure dynamic buckling behavior under variant impact force; moreover, it offers the designer solutions to prevent the structure from buckling damage.