Abstract
In order to establish a design guide for the bottom plate structure of a 4.3 ton aluminum planning boat, the feasibilities of bottom plate scantling of the ship are investigated based on the results of structural strength analysis and a simple equation and evaluation system are developed for initial structural design purposes. This study consists of 5 steps: First, the background, necessity, and purpose of this study are explained briefly, Second, the principal dimensions of this ship, the position of the considered bottom plate members and material characteristics are introduced. Third, the equivalent design pressure concept is introduced and evaluated based on experience and experimental data. Fourth, the strength of bottom plate members are examined using elasto-plastic nonlinear structural analysis, and response levels and several boundary conditions are reviewed based on the analysis results. Finally, in order to suggest design guides in respect to the ship's structural design, a simple design equation and evaluation system for bottom plate members are suggested for boats in the 4.3 ton aluminumboat range through the introduction of safety factorsbased on the ultimate design pressure concept.