Collapse Strength of Intact Ship Structures

Ship structures are subjected to complex sea loading conditions, leading to a sophisticated structural design to withstand and avoid structural failure. Structural capacity assessment, particularly of the longitudinal strength, is crucial to ensure the safety of ships, crews, the marine environment, and the cargoes carried. This work aims to overview the ultimate strength assessment of intact ship structures in recent decades. Particular attention is paid to the ultimate strength of plates, stiffened panels, box girders, and entire ship hull structures. A discussion about numerical and experimental analyses is also provided. Finally, some conclusions and suggestions about potential future work are noted.