Investigation on the sandwich system hull materials for solar powered electrical sport boat

Abstract

Experiments and theoretical analyses of sandwich materials which are used in the design of a solar-powered boat are required to fully complete the analysis of the hull strength. Rule analysis of global hull girder loads or panel under global loads (laminate buckling, maximum stress in each layer, and combined stress) will be used to determine the hull strength of the boat. In this research, the mechanical properties of facing laminate and sandwich material of VARTM-Vacuum Infusion are investigated. Moreover, the analysis from the result of the experiment and the theoretical calculation will be used as a reference to perform the hull strength calculations. From the experiment, an average tensile modulus of 15.21 GPa is obtained with a standard deviation of ± 1 GPa and the theoretical analyses calculation for the tensile modulus value is 54.990 5 GPa. Furthermore, an average flexural modulus value is 21 261.8 N mm-2 with a standard deviation of ± 2 301.17 N mm-2 and a theoretical analyses calculation for the flexural modulus value is 26 833.5 N mm-2. In the end, the calculation from the experimental and theoretical analysis may be applicable to calculate the hull strength of the vessel. In conclusion, the calculation of the hull strength of the solar-powered boat using the Bureau Veritas (BV) classification rules has met the required standards.