Structural analysis is the determination of the effects of loads on physical structures and their components. Structures subject to this type of analysis include all that must withstand loads including ships. Structural analysis is thus a key part of the engineering design of structures.

Ship is a complex geometry which undergoes a combination of loadings such as hydrostatic, hydrodynamic, wind, wave etc. at sea and thus adequate strength in a ship has always been one of the most challenging tasks for the ship designers. International Maritime Organization (IMO) and classification societies are providing the standards to ensure the adequacy of strength for the ship against all demands throughout its service life. Thus, structural analysis is needed to assess the overall strength of the hull, and the means in this regard are based on a finite element method which may be applied to either local or global aspects of the ship.

Two key structural analysis, global and local. 

A global finite element analysis (FEA) checks the global structural response.  This is a fairly big analysis.  Simply because all of the structure is modeled.  All the stiffeners.  All the bulkheads.  All the shell plating.  That makes a lot of components to mesh.  This results in  much more precise understanding of the stress distributions as the hull bends.  The analysis presents an opportunity to reduce the hull scantlings where they are not needed and strengthen them in areas where they are. When hull plates are stronger in the right regions, a longer life out of the hull and longer service life for the ship is obtained. Various loading conditions are analyzed including lightweight, fully loaded in calm and rough sea conditions.

The final report will identify any stress concentrations or regions of concern while identifying any critical loading conditions.  This report should be prepared for submission to your class society for review.  Also expect the engineer to reserve some time for discussing the report with you.  And some time for the engineer to address any comments from the class society.

Hull Local Structural Analysis is used to determine local support, plate thickness, and verify machinery foundation design.