SKIRTS AND SEALS FOR SURFACE EFFECT VEHICLES

Surface Effect Vehicles (SEV's) with weights up to 200 tons capable of speeds to 80 knots over water and land are in service. Considerably larger vehicles are under development. However, the life of the fabric-reinforced, elastomer-coated skirt/seal systems on current vehicles is short; it is anticipated that even shorter skirt lives will be encountered on the larger, higher speed vehicles under development, limiting the military potential and commerical practicality of the SEV mode of transportation. The skirts are subjected to a salt water, sand, marsh, or ice environment coupled with the dynamic loading induced by high speed operation. Their failure is a very complex, interdisciplinary problem that is not completely understood. Three major modes of failure are evident: delamination; abrasion; and tearing. These may occur separately or in combination, depending on: vehicle size and design; vehicle mission; skirt and seal design; and skirt and seal material. The current status of the development of skirts and seals is reviewed. Modes of failure, loading conditions, and effects of environments, materials selection, methods of manufacture, system fabrication, and test methods are discussed. A series of recommendations is made that, if followed, should lead to the development of more durable skirts and seals.

• Corporate Authors:

  National Materials Advisory Board

  National Academy of Sciences,National Academy of Engineering
  Washington, DC  United States  20418
• Publication Date: 1978-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 124 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air cushion vehicles; Design; Dynamic loads; Failure; Fiber reinforced materials; Materials selection; Seals (Devices); Strength of materials; Surface effect ships
• Old TRIS Terms: Failure mode; Seal design; Skirt design; Skirt failure; Strength analysis
• Subject Areas: Design; Marine Transportation; Materials; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00179652
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NMAB-340 Final Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: MDA903-78-C-0038
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 27 1978 12:00AM