Journal of the Computational Structural Engineering Institute of Korea ISSN:1229-3059(Print) 2287-2302(Online) 한국전산구조공학회 논문집

This paper deals with the development of bonded joints for fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) hull structures using moulding-in concept. Focus is placed on bonded in-plane connections between two adjacent panels that could form the boundaries of hull structural module. Traditional construction in FRP hull structures requires the construction of a mould, usually from steel or aluminium. In this construction the FRP materials are laid in the mould, and resin is saturated, and then the structural member is cured. This is expensive since it involves the fabrication of metal hull mould for every different hull type, which is sacrificed after the production of the FRP ship. One way of encouraging greater use of FRP in ship construction is to investigate the possible construction of FRP hull structures in a similar manner to metallic ships, that is in terms of blocks or modules. Such a manner of construction would eliminate the need for expensive hull moulds permitting greater flexibility in the construction of FRP ships. The main issue then would be the design and construction of adequate bonded connections between adjacent panels. To fulfill this object, the simplified and automated way of manufacturing joint edge shapes for bonded joints is developed, and their structural assessment is performed in both experimentally and numerically.