Design of docking stanchion of transverse bulkheads in ships

Object and purpose of research. The paper is concerned with interaction of the docking stanchion and the transverse bulkhead plating when a ship is docked. Involvement of the bulkhead plating and vertical pillars closest to the docking stanchion in sustaining the response of the keel track is assessed. The purpose of the study is updating the classical design procedure for docking stanchion where such interaction is ignored. Materials and methods. A plane steel transverse bulkhead of traditional type is considered. Loads on a dry-docked ship are estimated. Finite element method is used. Main results. Studies were conducted using two finite element models: a 2D bulkhead model and a 3D model of ship hull part incorporating bulkhead. Results of calculation by both models are generally in good agreement. It is shown that along with the docking stanchion the keel track response is sustained partly by the bulkhead plating and vertical struts closest to the docking stanchion. Conclusion. The classical design method of docking stanchions was updated, which made it possible to reduce the weight and size of docking stanchions. The formula used to assess the buckling of docking stanchions was corrected.