Construcción naval panelizada. Materiales, definición e integración del sistema en la industria naval

Abstract

The way in which ships are built has not changed in a century, although it has improved, the structural system used remains unchanged, longitudinal, transversal or mixed structural system, these systems become obsolete when attempts are made to integrate them with the new metallic hybrid materials. Nowadays, the use of hybrid material is limited to yachts and recreational vessels, but shipbuilding is in steel. As ships are getting bigger and bigger, the weight of steel is becoming a major problem, but even in smaller ships with monolithic superstructures it is also an issue, high weights are negative for stability. Asking the right questions concerning the use of hybrid materials, is it possible to realise a new structural system?, which calculation methodologies are needed?, what impact does it have?. These are some of the questions that are solved in the research. It begins by defining the new structural system and the calculation methodology, not only from a theoretical, but also from a practical point of view, solving the problems encountered; one of the most important is the joint between the panels and the primary members. This matter is solved by means of a mixed un-symmetrical joint, adhesively-welded, very versatile in terms of types of material to be joined, and in the way that it joins with the rest of the primary members of the ship. The joint was designed and optimised by means of finite element models, performing linear and non-linear simulations using cohesive zone model, and topological and parametric optimisations, by means of multi-objective genetic algorithms. Subsequently, laboratory tests were carried out to validate the numerical simulations, and the result was satisfactory, the joint leads the structural panelised system into a system that provides multiple advantages in addition to weight savings, insulation, pipe routing, welding hours and construction time savings