On the Strength of Stiffener End under Static Water Pressure

Abstract

Snip ends of stiffeners in ship structures often suffer damages. So, in this paper, the strength of these stiffener ends under static water pressure is investigated. A series of experiments are carried out on model stiffened plates under static water pressure. Besides, the stresses of these stiffener ends are theoretically analyzed by the two beam theory. Comparisons are made between the test results and theoretical ones and good agreements are observed between them. Through these theoretical and experimental investigations, the following conclusions are obtained; 1) Damage patterns of stiffener ends differ with snip angles of stiffener ends. 2) This calculation method by the two beam theory is very useful for analysis of the strength of stiffener ends. 3) To prevent a crack initiation in the welding beads at stiffener ends, it is effective to make the snip angle of stiffener end smaller. 4) In the case of the snip angle of stiffener end kept constant, it is effective to make slit breadth or stiffener depth at its end smaller.