Structural Analysis of a Barge Midship Section Considering the Still Water and Wave Load Effects

Structural failures in the barge midship sections can cause operational delay, sinking, cargo loss and environmental damage. These failures can be generated by the barge and cargo weights, and wave load effects on the midships sections. These load types must be considered in the design of the barge midship sections. Here, we present the structural analysis of a barge midship section that has decreased up to 36.4% of its deck thickness caused by corrosion. This analysis is developed using finite element method (FEM) models that include the barge and cargo weights, and wave load effects. The FEM models regarded three cargo tanks in the midship section, containing the main longitudinal and transverse structural elements. In addition, the hull girder section modulus and the required deck thickness of the barge were calculated using Lloyd’s Register rules. These rules were applied to estimate the permissible bending stresses at deck and bottom plates under sagging and hogging conditions, which agreed well with those of the FEM models. Based on FEM models, the maximum compressive normal stress and von Mises stress of the hull girder structure were 175.54 MPa and 215.53 MPa, respectively. These stress values do not overcome the yield strength (250 MPa) of the barge material, allowing a safe structural behavior of the barge. The structural modeling of the barge midship section can predict its structural behavior under different sagging and hogging conditions, considering the cargo, weight and wave loads.