Effect of Bulkhead Numbers and Thickness on Containership Displacement and Stresses Using Coupled BEM and FEM

This study investigates the influence of bulkhead number and plating thickness on containership stress distribution and displacement through a coupled Boundary Element Method (BEM) and Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis. The primary objective was to quantify the structural response to hydrodynamic loads across varying configurations. BEM-derived hydrodynamic pressures were applied to FEM models to simulate vessel behavior. Results indicate that configurations with 20 bulkheads, regardless of 15mm or 25mm plating, exhibit superior structural integrity, evidenced by lower critical stress values around 90 Pa and more uniform stress distribution compared to the 10-bulkhead, 20mm configuration, which showed critical stress values of 120 Pa. Displacement analyses further support these findings, with the 20-bulkhead configurations demonstrating reduced and more evenly distributed displacements, reflecting enhanced rigidity. Conversely, the 10-bulkhead and 5-bulkhead configurations showed increased localized displacements, indicating greater susceptibility to deformation. Specifically, the 5-bulkhead, 25mm configuration displayed critical displacement values reaching 2.5×10^−5 mm, while the 10-bulkhead, 20mm configuration peaked at 0.5×10^−5 mm. The coupled BEM-FEM approach effectively captured the intricate interplay between structural design and hydrodynamic response, highlighting a critical trade-off between rigidity and flexibility. The study underscores the importance of optimizing bulkhead design to minimize stress concentrations and ensure vessel integrity, providing valuable insights for naval architects aiming to enhance containership safety and operational longevity. Keywords: Bulkheads, Containership, Displacements, Stresses, Finite Element Method, Boundary Element Boundary