Structural Engineering Case Study – Finite Element Analysis of Rudder Horn

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Herbert Engineering is a capable provider of structural engineering services for projects both large and small.  A great example of one of our smaller structural engineering projects was a forensic investigation into a series of fractures in the rudder horn region of a class of containerships.  

Using a solid-element finite element model with “contact” to correctly simulate the interaction between rudder stock and bearings, Herbert Engineering was able to identify the fatigue hotspots corresponding to the known fracture origination points and provide the ship owner with clear guidance on how to address this issue.