Numerical investigation on the ultimate strength behaviour and assessment of continuous hull plate under combined biaxial cyclic loads and lateral pressure

The ultimate strength of continuous hull plate under combined biaxial cyclic loads and lateral pressure is investigated in the present paper by using nonlinear finite element method. Geometric nonlinearity due to large deflection and material nonlinearity induced by kinematic hardening and isotropic hardening are both accounted for. A parametric study is designed and completed to examine the longitudinal ultimate compressive strength behaviours in the cycles on the basis of a large number of load-shortening curves. Effects of series of parameters especially the plate slenderness ratio, transverse cyclic compression, lateral pressure and cycle number are analyzed with details. It is found that the strength characteristic and collapse mode are highly affected by the coupling influence of the mentioned factors as well material behaviours. A dimensionless unified formulation as a function of the decisive factors is empirically proposed to accurately assess the ultimate strength of continuous hull plate in various cycles.