- Start: 01/09/2012
- End: 31/08/2015
MOSAIC proposal aims to investigate two novel ideas concerning ship structures. First the introduction of High Strength Low Alloyed Steels (HSLA) in specific structural details in order to deal with the major issue of crack initiation and propagation in critical areas of ships and second the replacement of specific structural parts of the ship with composite materials. Regarding the use of HSLA steels, it has been well documented that today’s merchant ships are prone to crack initiation and propagation in stress concentration areas mostly due to fatigue loads. In this respect it is envisaged to replace Grade A or AH steels by HSLA steels with high toughness properties in specific areas of the ship structure, thereby reducing the risk of cracks developing in stress concentration areas. Concerning the use of composite materials, it is envisaged that they could replace parts of the steel structure, such as superstructures, transverse bulkheads, partial decks and other non-critical parts. Composite materials can replace steel in certain parts of the ship thereby reducing weight and corrosion effects, without sacrificing structural integrity. The final outcome of the project will be the development of relevant guidelines for the design and application of these two new concepts in shipbuilding.
AIMEN has carried out the characterization of composites, HSLA steels and conventional steels. On the other hand procedures for simulating steel-composite joints have been developed and finally AIMEN have manufactured and tested HSLA welds and hybrid steel-composite joints.
**This project has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement no 314037.
- Sectors: Shipbuilding
- Financing programme: 7TH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME FUNDED EUROPEAN RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT
- R&D&i: Multimaterial systems
- Leader: Cetena S.p.A.
- Partners: AIMEN Centro Tecnológico, TWI, National Technical University Of Athens, FINCANTIERI, University of Birmingham, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, AS2CON, Lloyd’s Register, ESTALEIROS NAVAIS DE PENICHE, S.A., Danaos
- Acronym: MOSAIC
- Ambit: International
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