Effects of crevice corrosion induced by biofouling on the mechanical response of engineered plate designs as an idealization of naval and marine structures

This study investigates the reduction in the mechanical strength of stainless-steel plates resulting from crevice corrosion induced by biofouling. A hole model based on the geometric characteristics of damage from 6-, 12-, and 36-month immersion data was developed and applied in ABAQUS CAE using the analytical mapped field feature. Finite element method (FEM) simulations were conducted using two types of loading—concentrated and uniform—with 15 random hole configurations each. The results were validated using Kirchhoff-Love plate theory. The results showed that corrosion reduces plate strength, as evidenced by increased deflection, strain, and von Mises stress with immersion duration. Under concentrated loading for 36 months, deflection increased by 10.65 %, strain by 17.22 %, and von Mises stress by 8.87 %. Under uniform loading, the increases were greater: 14.38 %, 43.26 %, and 22.03 %, respectively. A concentrated stress pattern emerged at the center of the plate under concentrated loading and spread diagonally under uniform loading. These findings provide a basis for predicting residual strength and designing biofouling-resistant marine structures.

Subjects

Analytical mapped field

Biofouling

Crevice corrosion

FE analysis

Mechanical response

DDC Class

623: Military Engineering and Marine Engineering

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Effects of crevice corrosion induced by biofouling on the mechanical response of engineered plate designs as an idealization of naval and marine structures