EN
A method was described of ultimate strength calculation of compressed steel panels proposed for shipbuilding applications. The calculations consist in applying Finite Element Method (FEM) to a model composed of finite shell elements. Large displacement values and plastic flow of material are taken into consideration. Results of ultimate strength calculations of an example panel under compression were compared with those from experimental tests. Accuracy of a proposed simple method of ultimate strength assessment based on the longitudinal bending theory of rod with initial deflections, was also investigated