Failure Analysis of an Inland Waterway Oil Bunker Barge

摘要

A barge which was designed in accordance with American Bureau of Shipping rulesfor inland waterways barges less than 300 feet long underwent ultimate hull girder collapse while underway in the Galveston Bay near Houston, Texas. Two numerical analyses were conducted to determine the ultimate strength and the stress levels under operational loading. Commentary on the possible reasons for the failure are presented.