Client benefits: TWI's distortion measurement programme enabled the client to reduce distortion in their ship panels by 70% (average of all measured points), which led to significant cost benefits and higher production efficiencies.

Project Background: Weld distortion is a serious problem in the shipbuilding industry and is particularly evident in lightweight ships that are manufactured from steel plates less than 10mm thick. Achieving acceptable amounts of distortion in welding lightweight ship structures is becoming more difficult as the trend to thinner plate thickness develops. Two FE models with different mesh densities were validated with distortion measurements taken on a typical lightweight ship panel. Both models predicted similar trends of distortion in comparison with the measurements. Based on the results of the modelling work, recommendations were proposed and implemented during fabrication of a second, identical ship panel.

Solution: By using different software packages along with a modelling procedure developed by TWI, TWI was able to demonstrate that FE modelling is a valuable tool to assist in the prevention of distortion of complex ship panels at the design and weld planning stage, thus avoiding undesirable rework during fabrication and its associated costs.

For more information please contact: nmo@twi.co.uk

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