For such simplified crushing analyses the ship’s structures may be viewed as an assembly of plated structures such as shell plating, transverse frames, horizontal decks and bulkheads. Observations from full-scale ship accidents and model experiments reveal that the primary energy absorbing mechanisms of the side structure are as follows.
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Membrane deformation of shell plating and attached stiffeners
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Folding and crushing of transverse frames and longitudinal stringers
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Folding, cutting and crushing of horizontal decks
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Cutting or crushing of ship’s bottoms
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Crushing of bulkheads