Lightweight structures in the maritime industries: an overview of European research projects

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Lightweight structures in the maritime industries: an overview of European research projects

Roland, Frank / Schlüter, Thomas / Juin, Erwan

The need to decrease life cycle cost and to improve production efficiency calls for integrated modular lightweight solutions comprising load-bearing and outfitting functionalities. This can be achieved either by innovative structural components using 'conventional' metallic materials or by using lightweight materials, such as composites. Innovative joining methods and tailored structures similar to the automotive industry (tailored blanks) are other ways to reduce the structural weight. Various research activities have been conducted to develop and apply lightweight structures in the maritime industry, both within Germany and in a European framework. SAND. CORe, a coordination action funded by the European Commission under the 6th Framework Programme for Research and Development has analysed available lightweight solutions primarily in the maritime and rail sectors and produced a Best Practice Handbook informing shipyard engineers about available solutions. The paper will give an overview about research projects dedicated to lightweight structures, their manufacturing and integration into the ship structure and summarize available solutions and tendencies in future development.