Ultimate Bearing Capacity of Hull Girder Considering the Effects of the Local Loads

In order to evaluate the ultimate moment behavior of hull girder reasonably, especially considering the influence of the local loads such as water pressure and cargo pressure, a method was given to calculate ultimate bearing capacity of hull girder using nonlinear finite element method. Some initial imperfections such as the welding residual stress and initial deflection which affect ultimate longitudinal strength were also considered. Nishihara (MST-3) was taken as example, calculation results indicates that the effects of local loads cannot be neglected, the ultimate bearing capacity of hull girder not only related to self-structure of ship hull, but also has something to do with local loads.