CFD-FEM simulation of water entry of aluminium flat stiffened plate structure considering the effects of hydroelasticity

Abstract

In this paper, the slamming loads and structural response of an aluminium flat stiffened-plate structure during calm water entry considering the hydroelasticity effects are studied by a partitioned CFD-FEM two-way coupled method. The target structure is simplified as one segment of an idealized ship grillage structure, comprising flat plate and stiffeners. The typical numerical results are analyzed such as vertical displacement, velocity, acceleration, impact loads, and structural stress of the flexible flat bottom grillage structure considering the hydroelasticity effect and air cushion effect in different free fall height conditions. Drop test results of the same structure and other existing numerical simulation data by both coupled and uncoupled solutions in the literature are used for comparison with the present numerical simulation results. This study provides a practical means to simulate the slamming behaviour and structural response of ship structures, which is useful for predicting ship hull stiffened panel loads and related structural design.