Strength and weight characteristics of a self-propelled barge based on sandwich panel system construction

Sandwich Panel System (SPS) consists of two metal plates separated by a core. It can be used as an alternative to conventional stiffened plate construction. In the present study, the ultimate longitudinal strength of a conventional hull of a self-propelled barge is evaluated by nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA). The moment-curvature relationship is developed and the ultimate bending moment capacity of the hull is obtained. Based on the Lloyd's provisional rules for the application of sandwich panel, an equivalent SPS hull was developed. The ultimate strength characteristics of the equivalent hull were also assessed. The weight of the conventional and the SPS hulls were estimated and compared. Significant reduction in the hull weight based on SPS was observed. Also, core material dissipates the strain energy over a large area, reduces the stress concentration and the possibility of permanent deformations. SPS eliminates the need for secondary stiffeners which make the structure less complex.