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.