Authors : A.U. Ibekwe , I.E. Douglas and S. Odi-Owei
Abstract: Marine crafts operating in the Niger Delta regions of Nigeria experience exceptionally high level of corrosion due to the high water salinity, humidity and acidic effluents from oil and gas operations. This most often results in rapid and serious pitting (of the hull plating and other steel members) that weaken the hull structural assemblage. This study presents a finite element methodology of evaluating the structural integrity of pitted hull plating. The approach is based on a statistical derivation of thickness variations due to pitting. A primary input to the analysis is the definition of the pitting profile consistent with classification societies� categorization. The main functional components of a visual basic code developed to implement the finite element formulation are described. Results of the analyses are discussed and presented in graphical and tabular forms.
A.U. Ibekwe , I.E. Douglas and S. Odi-Owei , 2007. Structural Analysis of Corroded Deck Plating of a Work Barge in Marine Operations . Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 2: 1669-1676.