Influence of corrosion on the ultimate compressive strength of steel plates and stiffened panels

• Numerically simulate local corrosion on steel plates and stiffened panels.
• Corrosion severity, aspect ratio, and (column) slenderness ratio considered.
• Use a mathematical corrosion prediction model to determine thickness reduction.
• Compare strength behaviour/capacity between corroded plates and stiffened panels.

This study concentrates on a comparison between steel plate and stiffened panels subject to localised corrosion. A finite element analysis is used to investigate the effect of random corrosion on the compressive strength capacity of marine structural units. Variables include the extent of corrosion; slenderness ratio and aspect ratio. A corrosion prediction model is incorporated to determine the thickness reduction with time. Corrosion-induced volume loss results in a greater reduction of ultimate strength for slender plates compared to stiffened panels, up to 45%, showing the structural element selection can strongly influence the accuracy of the estimated corrosion damage effect.