Showing papers in "Journal of Ocean Engineering and Technology in 2007"

Inundation Analysis Considering Water Waves and Storm Surge in the Coastal Zone

Abstract: In general, coastal damage is mostly occurred by the action of complex factors, like severe water waves. If the maximum storm surge height combines with high tide, severe water waves will overflow coastal structures. Consequently, it can be the cause of lost lives and severe property damage. In this study, using the numerical model, the storm surge was simulated to examine its fluctuation characteristics at the coast in front of Noksan industrial complex, Korea. Moreover, the shallow water wave is estimated by applying wind field, design water level considering storm surge height for typhoon Maemi to SWAN model. Under the condition of shallow water wave, obtained by the SWAN model, the wave overtopping rate for the dike in front of Noksan industrial complex is calculated a hydraulic model test. Finally, based on the calculated wave-overtopping rate, the inundation regime for Noksan industrial complex was predicted. And, numerically predicted inundation regimes and depths are compared with results in a field survey, and the results agree fairly well. Therefore, the inundation modelthis study is a useful tool for predicting inundation regime, due to the coastal flood of severe water wave.

Development and Tank Test of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle 'ISiMI'

Abstract: Maritime and Ocean Engineering Research Institute (MOERI), a branch of KORDI, has designed and manufactured a model of an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) named ISiMI (Integrated Submergible for Intelligent Mission Implementation). ISiMI is an AUV platform to satisfy the various needs of experimental test required for development of challenging technologies newly investigated in the field of underwater robot; control and navigational algorithms and software architectures. The main design goal of ISiMI AUV is downsizing which will reduce substantially the operating cost compared to other vehicles previously developed in KORDI such as VORAM or DUSAUV. As a result of design and manufacturing process, ISiMI is implemented to be 1.2 m in length, 0.17 m in diameter and weigh 20 kg in air. A series of tank test is conducted to verify the basic functions of ISiMI in the Ocean Engineering Basin of MOERI, which includes manual control with R/F link, auto depth, auto heading control and a final approach control for underwater docking. This paper describes the implementation of ISiMI system and the experimental results to verify the function of ISiMI as a test-bed AUV platform.

Numerical Analysis of Piled-Raft Foundations Considering the Effects of Sand Cushion

Abstract: The piled-raft foundation, a new design concept, is one of the most effective kinds of foundation for reducing settlement of structures. An alternative piled-raft system with disconnection cap and a sand cushion between the pile and raft was also investigated to compare the influence of ultimate bearing capacity and settlement. Load-settlement relation curves were used to evaluate the ultimate bearing capacity. In the numerical analyses, a plane strain elasto-plastic finite element model (Mohr-Coulomb model) was used to present the response of the piled-raft foundation.

Experimental Study on Development of Artificial Fishing Reefs Using Environment-Friendly Sulfur Concrete

Abstract: New artificial fishing reefs are developed using modified sulfur concrete. Modified sulfur concrete, which is made of by-product aggregates and modified sulfur binder, has good properties, including high density, less water absorption, high strength, high salt resistance, and good affinity for living organisms. This paper shows the mechanical properties of modified sulfur concrete and its field tests under the sea. We have found that the pH-neutral materials attach microalgae and seaweed more readily, compared to the pH-high materials.

An Experimental Study on Slamming Phenomenon by forced Impact

Abstract: This paper presents the experimental results on slamming phenomenon. The air pressure cylinder was used to ensure repeatability of the impact. The results showed that the adopted experimental technique was excellent in terms of repeatability, compared to that of the free drop tests. The pressure time histories, magnitude of peak pressure and the behavior of jetspray were obtained. The flat specimen was tested for various incident angles. To estimate the incident speed of the specimen, a high-speed camera was used. The high-speed camera was also a useful tool in understanding the behavior.

A Simulation of Directional Irregular Waves at Chagui-Do Sea Area in Jeju Using the Boussinesq Wave Model

Abstract: Based on the Boussinesq wave model, the wave distribution in the Chagui-Do sea area in Jeju was simulated by applying the directional irregular waves at an incident boundary. The time and spatial variations of monthly mean wave height and period were investigated, which aims to provide basic information on optimal sites for wave power generation. The grid size and time interval of the Boussinesq wave model were validated by examining wave distributions around a surface piercing wall, fixed at sea bottom with a constant slope. Except for the summer season, the significant wave height is dominated by wind waves and appears to be relatively high at the north sea of Chagui-Do, which is open to the ocean, while it is remarkably reduced at the rear sea of Chagui-Do because of its blocking effect on incident waves. In the summer, the significant wave height is higher at the south sea, and it is dominated by the swell waves, which is contributed by the strong south-west wind. The magnitude of significant wave height is the largest in the winter and the lowest in the spring. Annual average of the significant wave height is distinctively high at the west sea close to the Chagui-Do coast, due to a steep variation of water depth and corresponding wave focusing effect. The seasonal and spatial distribution of the wave period around Chagui-Do sea reveals very similar characteristics to the significant wave height. It is suggested that the west sea close to the Chagui-Do coast is the mast promising site for wave power generation.

Analysis of the Effects on the Southeastern Coast of Korea by a Tsunami Originating from Hypothetical Earthquake in Japan

Abstract: The hypothetical earthquake located on the fault zone along the western coast of Japan, where sufficient time has elapsed since the last earthquake or an earthquake has not occurred yet, is known to possess significant potential energy The possibility of earthquake activities occurring here in the future is high It is expected that the resulting tsunamis will cause great damage to the East Sea coast of Korea and affect parts of the southern coast as well In this study, tsunami that may be caused by a virtual earthquake that is expected in the hypothetical earthquake, along the western coast of Japan, will be estimated using numerical simulation From this, the effect of the tsunami originating from the hypothetical earthquake on the southeastern coast of Korea will be evaluated by examining the water level rise due to the maximum water level rise and changing time, for each point along the southeastern coast It will be possible to use the virtual results obtained like this as important basic materials in future disaster prevention plans and designs, for determining the direction of coastal development, for arranging seashore and harbor structures and to carry out wave resistant design for the southeastern coast of Korea

Numerical Simulation of Tsunamis that Affected the Coastal Zone of East Sea

Abstract: The tsunami that resulted from the Central East sea Earthquake, which registered 7.7 on the Richter scale, that occurred over the entire water region in Akita on May. 26, 1983 and the tsunami that was triggered by the Southwest off Hokkaido Earthquake (7.8 on the Richter scale) that occurred in Southwest off Hokkaido on July 12, 1993 are representative cases that led to considerable damage in life and property, not only in Japan but also in Korea. In this study, multi-grid method was used in order to reproduce sufficiently the shoaling effect that occurs as water depth becomes shallow in the shallow water region and moving boundary condition was introduced to consider the runup in the coastal region. For the tsunamis that exerted considerable effect on the East Sea coast of Korea that were caused by the Central East Sea Earthquake in 1983 and the Southwest off Hokkaido Earthquake in 1993, characteristics like water level rise and propagation in the East Sea coast will be examined using numerical simulations. At the same time, these values will be compared with observed values. In addition, maximum water level rise and change in the water level with respect to time that were caused by the tsunamis were examined at each location along the East sea coast. Usefulness of numerical analysis was verified by comparing with observed values.

Delta Development in the Nakdong River Estuary: a Literature Survey

Abstract: We present basic data for developing new research topics and closely examine the existing data on the development and organization of the Nakdong River Estuary Delta by analyzing various studies of the area, including ocean engineering, coastal engineering, ocean environmental engineering, geomorphological, and geological studies. We first defined the general concepts related to the estuary and delta and reviewed the historical development of the Nakdong River Estuary Delta over the past 100 years. We then examined the origin and core elements of the estuary deposits that constitute the delta. In addition, we scrutinized the main factors affecting the development of the delta and analyzed existing research on delta development mechanisms by core researchers. The construction of an estuary barrage is one of the main factors effecting estuarine circulation and has altered the physical oceanic environment, area of deposition, atmospheric environment, and vegetation community of the delta. These factors affect the estuary circulation in turn, altering the delta. Along the Nakdong River, an unsteady-state sandy barrier appears at approximately three times the distance of the wavelength of incident offshore waves, and this terrain forms approximately 10-15 years after reclamation in the interdistributary upper stream and transforms the shoreline. It is necessary to develop a technique to predict terrain change that reproduces the erosion and accumulation of estuarine deposits. To determine the parameters and variables necessary to reproduce this system, continuous on-site monitoring is necessary. The existing research did not fully examine the terrain changes in Nakdong River Estuary or the periodic developmental characteristics. To understand the future process of estuary delta development, it is necessary to establish an integrated management system.

Multibody Dynamic Analysis of a Tracked Vehicle on Soft Cohesive Soil

Abstract: This paper is concerned about the dynamic analysis of an underwater test miner, which operates on cohesive soil. The test miner consists of tracked vehicles and a pick-up device. The motion of the pick-up device, relative to the vehicle chassis, is controlled by two pairs of hydraulic cylinders. The test miner is modeled by means of commercial software. A terramechanics model of cohesive soft soil is implemented with the software and applied to a dynamic analysis of the test miner model. The dynamic responses of the test miner are studied with respect to four different types of terrain conditions.

An Experimental Study on Relationship of Tractive Force to Slip for Tracked Vehicle on Deep-sea Soft Sediment

Abstract: Measuring the ground speed and the rotation speeds of tracks is an easy and realistic method to detect the track slips. It is very advantageous if the slips can be measured and applied to real time control of the vehicle. With a proper speed, the tractive force of a tracked vehicle may be calculated from the vehicle dynamics. For the control of tracked vehicle, the relationship between the slip and the tractive force is necessary. In this paper, a series of drawbar-pull tests, in which slips of two tracks are measured under the variational draw-bar weight, is executed to directly obtain the slip-tractive force relationship. For the purpose of the test, a tractive vehicle model was manufactured, and an artificial soil was simulated by using a bentonite-water mixture.

An Experimental Study for the Falling Test and Upwelling Effect of the Artificial Upwelling Structures in Flow Field

Abstract: The multiplication equipment of marine products with artificial upwelling structures could be useful in the fishing grounds near coastal areas. Artificial upwelling structures could move the inorganic nutrients from the bottom to the surface. Artificial upwelling structures have been used to improve the productivity of fishing grounds. Until now, research on artificial upwelling structures has been related to the distribution of the upwelling region, upwelling structures, and the marine environment. However, little work on the optimum design of the rubber-mound artificial upwelling structures has been done to increase the efficiency of drawing up the inorganic nutrients. This study investigated the optimum cross-section of rubber-mound artificial upwelling structures by means of hydraulic experiments. The hydraulic experiments include the falling test of rubber. Based on the results of the falling test, the relationship between the length of the rubber mound and water velocity, and the relationship between the shape of the rubber and the stratification parameter were established. In addition, the effect of the void ratio of various artificial structures on the stratification parameter was studied. From the experiment, it was found that upwelling could be enhanced when the ratio of structure height to water depth was 0.3 and stratification parameter was 3.0. The upwelling was not improved when the void ratio exceeded 0.43. The optimum size of rubber mounds was determined when the incident velocity was influenced by the mean horizontal length rather than size of block.

Optimum Design of Two-Dimensional Steel Structures Using Genetic Algorithms

Abstract: The design variables for structural systems, in most practical designs, are chosen from a list of discrete values, which are commercially available sizing. This paper presents the application of Genetic Algorithms for determining the optimum design for two-dimensional structures with discrete and pseudocontinuous design variables. Genetic Algorithms are heuristic search algorithms and are effective tools for finding global solutions for discrete optimization. In this paper, Genetic Algorithms are used as the method of Elitism and penalty parameters, in order to improve fitness in the reproduction process. Examples in this paper include: 10 bar planar truss and 1 bay 8-story frame. Truss with discrete and pseudoucontinuous design variables and steel frame with W-sections are used for the design of discrete optimization.

Study on the Design, Manufacture, and Pressure Test of a Pressure Vessel Model

Abstract: In this paper, the authors demonstrate a new idea to take the place of the real pressure vessel test, which should be carried out in a high pressure experiment unit before the real sea trial test. The idea is to make a pressure vessel model as a replica of the real pressure vessel test, which can reduce the cost of making a pressure vessel and large pressure experiment unit. The pressure vessel model was designedbased on linear-elastic, buckling equations and Finite Element Analysis. The manufactured pressure vessel model was investigated and monitored while the pressure test was being conducted. After the test, the result and the validity of the pressure vessel model as a replica of the real pressure vessel test was studied.

A Study on the Thermal and Mechanical Characteristic of Hybrid Welded Ship Structure A-grade Steel

Abstract: Recently, there has been considerable research in the field of application of Laser-Arc hybrid welding for superstructures, such as ship-structures, transport vehicles etc. However, the study on heat distribution and welding residual stress of hybrid weld by numerical simulation leaves much to be desired. Therefore, in this study, an optimized welding condition and numerical simulation for hybrid welding, using previous numerical analysis to calculate the heat source for hybrid welding, has been analyzed. For this purpose, fundamental welding phenomena of the hybrid process, using Laser and, is investigated. In order to calculate temperature and residual stress distribution in hybrid welds, a finite element heat source model is developed on the basis of experimental results and characteristics of temperature. Residual stress distribution in hybrid welds are understood from the result of simulation, and compared with the experimental values.

Long-Term Shoreline Change and Evaluation of Total Longshore Sediment Transport Rate on Hupo Beach

Abstract: The harbor siltation by longshore sediment transports has become a serious problem on the East Coast of Korea A reasonable prediction of the longshore sediment rate is important to approach the siltation problem effectively In the recently developed 1-line model, the empirical constants of the sediment transport formula, which include the absolute quantity of sediment transport rate and the spatial distribution of breaking wave height by wave deformation, are treated as calibration parameters Since these constants should be determined by the very long-term shoreline data, the longshore sediment rates are much more reasonable values The method was applied to Hupo Beach, which has experienced heavy siltation The authors also discuss long-term shoreline change using aerial photos and the observed wave-induced current patterns According to the result, the SW-direction sediment transport rate was , and the NE direction was at Hupo Beach for the last 11 years The siltation in Hupo Harbor might be affected by the NE-direction sediment transport from Hupo Beach

An Experimental Study on the Stability of Artificial Reefs for Shellfish and Seaweed

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the stability of the arched and fan types of artificial reefs, which provide habitats for shellfish and seaweed. According to the Froude similitude, parameters affecting the stability of the artificial reefs were analytically, experimentally studied. First, the design parameters of the artificial reefs in wave and current fields were presented. Then, using dimensionless parameters, such as the surf similarity parameter and water particle speed, the stability of the arched and fan types of artificial reefs was investigated. From the hydraulic experiments, it is shown that the stability heavily depends on the way the artificial reefs are installed. Therefore, the installation of the artificial reefs on the surf zone should be carefully executed.

Wave-Induced Soil Response around Submarine Pipeline

Abstract: Recently, the nonlinear dynamic responses among waves, submarine pipeline and seabed have become a target of analyses for marine geotechnical and coastal engineers. Specifically, the velocity field around the submarine pipeline and the wave-induced responses of soil, such as stress and strain inside seabed, have been recognized as dominant factors in discussing the stability of submarine pipeline. The aim of this paper is to investigate nonlinear dynamic responses of soil in seabed, around submarine pipeline, under wave loading. In order to examine wave-induced soil responses, first, the calculation is conducted in the whole domain, including wave field and the seabed, using the VOF-FDM method. Then, velocities and pressures, which are obtained on the boundary between the wave field and the seabed, are used as the boundary condition to compute the wave-induced stress and strain inside seabed, using the poro-elastic FEM model, which is based on the approximation of the Biot's equations. Based on the numerical results, the characteristics of wave-induced soil responses around submarine pipeline are investigated, in detail, inrelation to relative separate distance of the submarine pipeline from seabed. Also, the velocity field around the submarine pipeline is discussed.

Shape Optimum Design of Ship's Bellows Using Statistical Method

Abstract: Bellows are mechanical components which prevent the damage of system by absorption of the vibration and the displacement of axle and radial direction. Thermal piping system is expanded by the fluid of the high temperature from the heat engine inside. At this time, bellows prevent the damage of the piping due to the thermal expansion. Recently, design of bellows is required to fit some other operational environments which are not suggested in the E.J.M.A code book. And it is difficult to produce and to maintain bellows of high temperature and high pressure bemuse of its complicated shape and this causes the manufacturing cost to rise. The objective of this study is to determine optimum shape of bellows which can endure in the high temperature and high pressure. The maximum stress has an effect on the fatigue life of bellows, therefore it needs to be minimized. This study attempts to find a shape which minimizes the stress occurring in the bellows by the design of experiment. The model used in this study is not presented in the E.J.M.A code book, therefore, from the result of design of experiment we find the factors which give effects on the characteristic value and we presents the recession model using the RSM, which can predict the characteristic values depending on the change of factor values.

Experimental Study on the Ultimate Strength of Composite Cylinders under Hydrostatic Pressure

Abstract: Composite material is one of the strongest candidates for deep see pressure hulls. Research regarding composite cylinders, subjected to hydrostatic pressure, has been ongoing for a couple of decades, abroad, but domestic research is very new. Experimental investigations seem necessary, in order to understand their structural behavior not only up to the ultimate limit state, but in the post-ultimate regime. That experimental information will be very helpful in the development of any theoretical methods or to substantiate any commercial numerical packages for structural analyses. In this study, ultimate strength tests on seven composite cylinders subjected to hydrostatic pressure are reported, which includes the fabrication method of models, mechanical properties of the material, initial shape imperfection measurements, test procedure, and strain and axial shortening measurements during the tests. The ultimate strengths of the models were compared with predictions of numerical analyses. The numerical predictions are higher than the test results. It seems necessary to improve the accuracy of the numerical predictions by considering the initial shape and material imperfections.

Evaluation of Characteristic for SS400 and STS304 steel by Weld Thermal Cycle Simulation - 2nd Report: Corrosion Characteristics

Abstract: The welding methods have been applied in the most structural products from multi-field of automobile, ship construction and construction, and so on. The structure steel must have enough strength of structure. In this study, SS400 steel and STS304 steel were used to estimate the corrosion characteristics of the weld thermal cycle simulated HAZ. To evaluate the corrosion characteristics, also, the materials with two conditions were used in 3.5% NaCl. The one is to the drawing with diameter of and the other is to the residual stress removal treatment. The electrochemical polarization test and immersion test were carried out. From test results, corrosion potential, corrosion current density, weight loss ratio and corrosion rate were measured. In the kinds of SS400 steels, corrosion potential of weld thermal cycle simulated specimens after the heat treatment showed somewhat the direction of noble potential. And in the base metal to be drawing weight loss ratio and corrosion rate occurred higher than the other kinds. In the kinds of STS304 steels, the result of base metal to be drawing was similar to results of SS400 steels, too. Two kinds of and of weld thermal cycle simulation after the heat treatment were rather higher than the other kinds in weight loss ratio and corrosion rate.

Comparative Study on Numerical Analysis Methods on the 2D Ground Effect

Abstract: A comparative study on the turbulent flaw simulation and the potential flaw analysis has been performed. A law Mach number preconditioned Navier-Stokes solver, using the multi-block grid method and a panel method based on the velocity potential, have been developed and validated by comparison to the experimental data. The present numerical analysis methods are applied to the ground effect problem around the NACA 4412 airfoil. It has been confirmed that the potential flaw analysis on the ground effect, using the image method, is consistent, to some degree, with the viscous calculations for high Reynolds number flows.

Finite Element Simulation of Elastic Wave Propagation in a Concrete Plate - Modeling and Damage Detection

Abstract: Finite element simulation of elastic wave propagation in a concrete plate was carried out to investigate its modeling and damage detection procedures. For the numerical stability three criteria were introduced and tested. With a proper element size and time increment, two different kinds or damage scenarios (crack and deterioration) were applied to verify the feasibility of the finite element simmulation. It is shown that the severities of those damages are sensitive to the rcceived displacement signals.

Numerical Analysis for Wave Propagation and Sediment Transport with Coastal Vegetation

Abstract: The environmental value of coastal vegetation has been widely recognized. Coastal vegetation such as reed forests and seaweed performs several useful functions, including maintaining water quality, supporting fish (and, thus, fisheries), protecting beaches and land from wave attack, stabilizing sea beds and providing scenic value. However, studies on the physical and numerical process of wave propagation, sediment transport and bathymetric change are few and far between compared to those on the hydrodynamic roles of coastal vegetation. In general, vegetation flourishing along the coastal areas attenuates the incident waves through momentum exchange between stagnated water mass in the vegetated area and rapid mass in the un-vegetated area. This study develops a numerical model for describing the wave attenuation and sediment transport in a wave channel in a vegetation area. By comparing these results, the effects of vegetation properties, wave properties and model parameters are clarified.

Wave Forces Acting on Vertical Cylinder and Their Wave Transformations by 3-Dimensional VOF Method

Abstract: As the economy grows and the population increases, we need to develop our coastal area and make use of it for various purposes. Specifically, investigation of the wave interactions on and around the vertical cylinders is very important in the design of the offshore or coastal structures. The nonlinear potential analysis developed so far, although very useful, has been found to be limited in application, as strong nonlinear waves generated by the interference between multilayered cylinders and wave impact forces by breaking waves can hardly be estimated. In this study, using a 3-Dimensional volume tracking method VOF(Volume of Fluid), based on Namer-Stokes equations, was developed to simulate highly nonlinear effects, such as breaking waves at the interface or complicated interference waves among structures. A numerical method for nonlinear interaction wave and vertical cylinders is newly proposed. The wave forces and wave transformations computed by the newly proposed numerical simulation method were compared to the other researcher's experimental results, and the results agree well. Based on the validation of this study, this numerical method is applied to the two vertical cylinders to discuss their nonlinear wave forces and wave transformations, according to the variations of separate distance of vertical cylinders.

Field Investigation on the Efficiency of the Artificial Steel Reefs

Abstract: As part of the government's fishery resource creation policy, fishing ground creation projects have been undertaken in Korea's major seashore fishing spots since the 1970s, where artificial reefs constructed using new materials that make up for the weakness of concrete reefs have been used. In this study, the stability of these artificial reefs when acted upon by external forces, their ability to attract and gather fish, and their economic feasibility were examined. For this purpose, an experimental artificial steel reef was constructed and was installed in an area of the sea. Then the corrosion of the experimental material attached to it was investigated. The efficiency of the artificial steel reef was then verified by examining its functionality, removal, and burying, as well as the speed of insertion of living things into its structure and its ability to attract and gather fish.

Performance Prediction of Impulse Turbine System in Various Operating Conditions

Abstract: This paper deals with the design and analysis of a 250 ㎾ class impulse turbine for wave energy conversion Numerical analysis was performed using FLUENT The size and the performance of a turbine required to provide a certain power can be estimated using a series of performance charts built through the present study Temporal and spatial variations of flow fields were also considered and compared with those of uniform inflow It was concluded that a simple steady-flow analysis using performance charts still provided a practical and useful way to predict the design and performance of turbines

Effect of Local Wall Thinned Location due to Erosion-Corrosion on Fracture Behavior of Pipes

Abstract: This study on the effects of local wall-thinned location on the fracture behavior of pipes was carried out, and the results were compared with the analytical results. Local wall-thinning for the bending test was machined with various sizes on the outside of pipes, in order to simulate the metal loss, due to erosion/corrosion. In addition, we had carried out FE analysis for the pipes with local wall thinning on the inside, and its results were comparatively studied with that of the outside. Three-dimensional elasto-plastic analyses were able to accurately simulate fracture behaviors of inner or outer wall thinning. Fracture types, obtained from the experiments and analyses, could be classified into ovalization, local buckling and crack initiation, depending on the thinned length and thinned ratio. Based on the results, the fracture behaviors of pipes with the outer wall thinning can be applied to estimate the fracture behaviors of pipes with the inner wall thinning.

Numerical Simulation of Tsunami Impact Load Using 3-Dimensional Particle Method

Abstract: The impact of a single wave generated by a dam break with a tall structure is modeled with a three-dimensional version of the Moving particle semi-implicit (MPS) method. The particle method is more feasible and effective than methods based on grid connection problems involving violent free surface motions. In the present study, the Tsunami impact load and the change of longitudinal velocity component around the structure, which are obtained from the numerical simulation, are compared to those from experiments.

Ultimate Strength Analysis of Stiffened Plate with Minor Collision Damage

Abstract: The safety of ships is one of the most important concerns in terms of the environment and human life. A ship in bad condition is likely to be subject to accidents, such as collision and grounding. When a ship has minor collision damages in the form of circle or ellipse, its ultimate strength will be reduced. It is important to evaluate the reduction ratio of a ship's ultimate strength that results from damages. The strength reduction of a plate with a cutout in the form of hole has been treated by many researchers. A closed-form formula for the reduction of ultimate strength of a plate, considering the effect of several forms of cutout, has been suggested. However, the structure of ships is composed of plates and stiffeners so-called stiffened plates and it is likely that plates and stiffeners will be damaged together in collisions. This paper investigates the effect of minor collision damages on the ultimate strength of a stiffened plate by using numerical analysis. For this study, the deformed shape of minor collision damages on a stiffened plate was made by using a contact algorithm and was used as the initial shape for ultimate stress analysis. Then, a series of nonlinear FE analyses was conducted to investigate the reduction effects on the ultimate strength of the stiffened plate. The boundary conditions were simply supported at all boundaries, and the tripping of stiffener was neglected. The results are presented in the form of reduction ratio between the ultimate strength of an original, intact stiffened plate and that of a damaged stiffened plate.