Non-linear thermo-mechanical buckling approach for composite laminated marine structures

This paper describes the behaviour of large-length ships built using fibre-reinforced plastic composite materials under fire and large deformations. A novel methodology is proposed in order to analyse inelastic buckling and post-buckling of steel structures due to thermal loading and also extend this to the phenomenon regarded as pyrolysis that is natural in composite structures. The methodology is validated against the literature. A model of a container-ship where a fire scenario located in the engine room is used to demonstrate the methodology against a real case scenario. The section of the cargo hold closest to the engine room is structurally analysed, focusing in the integrity of the bulkhead and the supports of the TEU containers.