Abstract: In the design of GFRP hull structures, it is very important to evaluate and verify the structure performance based on the combination of model test and finite element analysis. Taking the GFRP structure of monocoque as the research object, the model with a scale ratio of 1∶3 is designed and the experiment is carried out to study the deformation and water tightness of the GFRP structure under the loading and unloading conditions, and the deformation characteristics of the typical structures under different loading conditions are obtained. Based on the test data, the stiffness characteristics of the support structures are obtained approximately. On this basis, the finite element analysis is conducted on the platform of MSC.PATRAN/NASTRAN and the calculated results are compared with the experimental data. The results show that the structures of the GFRP cabin model are intact and the water tightness is good under the load, and the overall deformation is small. The data coincidence between the finite element calculated values and the experimental values is generally acceptable based on the inversion of experimental data. This method can be used for the finite element verification of the similar model tests.

Key words: glass fiber reinforced composite, deformation, boundary conditions, model experiment