Ship Design, Sea Keeping and Ship Damage Analysis on Impact and Grounding

Abstract

Laminated composite hull panels are widely used in the high-speed light craft (HSLC) small pleasure craft and sailing yachts. The superior stiffness of the high-modulus fibres has resulted in an increase in use of these materials. However, these composite panels lack stiffness and are flexible and may damage easily when grounded or impacted. The project is to look into new ways of improving the structural integrity of the hull and to produce a weight saving, cost efficient and higher performance material when the panels are subjected to the in-service loading conditions.

The present application is to enhance the popular maritime study units. HSC fibre composite and/or aluminium hulls with reinforcing cores are to be tested for impact and grounding by simulations on laboratory sized and geometrically scaled panels. Additional topics of research during the project’s duration have been ship modelling analysis; describing the procedure for the manufacture for ship models for use in a test tank; the evaluation of vessel hulls including the fundamental physical properties of hull development and geometry, including the hydrostatics and hydro-dynamics; propeller characteristics design; construction of a fibreglass planning hull and of a wooden low speed displacement hull boat; design and construction of a high speed one person hydrofoil.