| A composite structural laminate was developed to provide an impact resistant hull structure for double hull product oil tankers to resist extreme loads like collisions and groundings and to minimize the probability of rupture and oil outflow. The composite structural laminate plate provides the strength and stiffness of traditional stiffened steel plates for normal operating loads without the primary stiffening. This construction allows significant simplification and the elimination of all the corresponding intersections, which are a major source of corrosion and fatigue problems. The engineered structural polyurethane elastomer core is an energy absorptive, puncture resistant layer that provides thermal insulation, additional dampening and an effective crack arrest layer.;To effectively integrate this type of construction into practice requires the development of simple design equations that will accurately predict the behaviour of the CSL members subject to flexure, compression, or both. The design equations were verified experimentally through large scale testing of CSL beams and columns, which represent the full range of anticipated behaviour, and was further supported and extended with analytical evidence. A series of bond strength tests for varying temperatures were conducted to obtain data to set limits for the maximum design shear stress at the interface to preclude one possible local failure mode. It was concluded that the strength and stiffness of this type of construction can be described using existing design equations for steel considering the steel faceplates only (the core contribution is negligible). The core with the specified minimum modulus of elasticity stabilizes the steel faceplates and prevents all probable local buckling failure modes. |
