Lateral pressure effect on average compressive strength of stiffened panels for in-service vessels

This paper presents the estimation of the average compressive strengths of three types of stiffened panels under axial compression and lateral pressure based on simplified formulae in the CSR for tankers (common structural rules for double hull oil tankers) and nonlinear finite element analyses (FEAs). Basic scenarios are determined based on the slenderness ratios of the stiffened panels used for in-service ships. Secondary scenarios are subdivided by external pressures that are applied to finite element model by increasing 1 bar, assuming 30 m water height. The total number of FEAs for flat bar (FB)-, angle bar (AB)- and tee bar (TB)-stiffened panels is 189. FEA results show that the existence of pressure can cause a significant reduction of ultimate strength, while CSR formulae do not take into account the effect of lateral pressure. The lateral pressure is more detrimental to the ultimate strength of stiffened panels with a higher column slenderness ratio than those with a smaller column slenderness ra...