ABSTRACT
The longitudinal strength is the most important criterion for structural design of ship hulls, which is generally represented by the maximum bending moment that the hull cross-section can withstand. The linear elastic theory has been employed to predict the longitudinal strength of the ship hull for years. According to this theory, the maximum bending moment that the hull cross-section can withstand is equal to the bending moment corresponding to the first yield, that is, the bending moment when the maximum stress on the hull cross-section reaches the yield stress of the material. In design practice, an allowable stress is used instead of the yield stress, which corresponds to a safety factor against yielding.
