Thin-Walled Structures, Volume 41, Issue 4, pp.329-355, April 2003

A concise introduction to the idealized structural unit method for nonlinear analysis of large plated structures and its application

Author(s): J. K. Paik and A. K. Thayamballi

Abstract:
The idealized structural unit method (ISUM) has now been widely recognized by researchers as an efficient and accurate methodology to perform nonlinear analysis of large plated structures such as ships, offshore platforms, box girder bridges or other steel structures. This paper presents a summary of pertinent ISUM theory and its application to nonlinear analysis of steel plated structures. Important concepts for development of various ISUM units which are needed to analyze nonlinear behavior of steel plated structures are described. Some application examples are shown, wherein comparisons of ISUM analysis predictions are made with numerical or experimental results for progressive collapse analysis of general types of steel plated structures and ship hulls, to illustrate the possible accuracy and versatility of the ISUM method. The use of ISUM for the analysis of internal collision/grounding mechanics of ships is also illustrated. This paper is in part an attempt to demystify ISUM and its applications for the benefit of a designer of steel plates structures (Paik and Thayambali, Ultimate limit state design of steel plated structures; 2002).