SHIPS' 'P' BRACKETS IN COMPOSITE MATERIALS: A FEASIBILITY STUDY

Ship's propeller shaft support brackets are currently produced out of cast, forged or fabricated metallic materials. Problems of weight, cost, production, fitting and corrosion have been identified with these brackets. This project investigates the feasibility of producing shaft brackets out of Fibre Reinforced Plastic composite materials. The study analyses the forces acting on a shaft bracket and develops a procedure for the design of composite brackets. A new production process has been developed and a full scale shaft bracket was constructed. The design and production methods were proven by a series of structural tests on the bracket. Finite element analysis used in conjunction with the tests confirmed the adequacy of the design in terms of bending and torsional stiffness. A new arrangement was developed for mounting the composite bracket on a ship. Compared to metal shaft brackets, significant savings in weight and small savings in cost have been achieved using composite materials.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • RINA Trans, Pt A, v 133 1991, p 161 [17 p, 15 ref, 2 tab, 30 fig]
• Authors:
  • Shenoi, R A
  • GORDON, A
• Publication Date: 1991

Language

• English

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Brackets; Composite materials; Propeller shafts
• Old TRIS Terms: Design process; Propeller struts
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Marine Transportation; Materials; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00700073
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Maritime Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 14 1995 12:00AM