Structural Safety and Fatigue of Ships

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Nibbering, J.J.W.

Affiliations: Dept. of Naval Architecture, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium

Abstract: The high stress level in ships – largely due to the use of higher strength steels – has made fatigue a major problem for ship-owners and classification societies. It will be discussed that fatigue cracks are not merely a nuisance (leakage and repairs), but that they constitute a and probably the main danger for the safety of ships against (brittle) fracture. It is doubtful whether sophisticated fatigue and reliability calculations are of much use in this respect. Rather they may give a false feeling of safety. Better design of details and especially improved workmanship (welding), are more valuable. Examples will be given.

DOI: 10.3233/ISP-1992-3942006

Journal: International Shipbuilding Progress, vol. 39, no. 420, pp. 423-435, 1992