INNOVATIONS IN HULL AND DECK STRUCTURES FOR TOUGHENED REDUCED WEIGHT MARINE STRUCTURES

摘要

Tough lightweight fiber systems combined with carbon fiber and preform framing are allowing for newinnovations in durable lightweight boat structures for US Navy Combatant Craft. Designs utilizing thisnew technology offer weight savings potential of 40% to 60% when compared to conventionalconstruction. Combining structural weight savings with innovations in lightweight propulsion technologyhas a synergistic effect. The result is platforms that are substantially lighter and offer greater fuelefficiency and improved performance.The results of two on-going Navy research projects will be presented. The projects are a Phase II SBIRand Phase III (Defense Logistics Agency) effort. In these efforts a low cost, lower risk variant of a 7MRHIB and 8.5 M RHIB design will be developed, produced and evaluated. The Phase II Option and thePhase III effort provide funding for the development, construction and evaluation of two advancedlightweight designs. Both the low cost and advanced designs feature a lightweight membrane hulllaminate and suspended cockpit. The single skin membrane structure reduces weight and absorbs waveimpact energy though panel deflection. The suspended cockpit further mitigates shock due to waveimpact as the deck is allowed to move relative to the hull. The project also provides for research into theeffects of pressurizing the hull to deck cavity. We will assess the ability of pressure to support the hulland to enhance shock mitigation. The results of this ongoing project will be presented.