The FIBRESHIP project alliance held its second public seminar in June 2019 at the partner company iXblue in La Ciotat (Marseille, France). There, it showed a demonstrator, a hull part of a fishing research vessel built using various fiber-reinforced composite materials. The section size of 20 tons is 11m × 11m × 8.6m. Different composite materials are selected according to the structural requirements. The demonstrator will allow verification of design analysis and final testing.
FIBRESHIP's main goal is to overcome the current technical and regulatory challenges in using fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites to replace traditional shipbuilding large steel. This work is considered the best option to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of the European shipbuilding industry. The project also allows optimizing the maritime market, including reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
Demonstrator of industrial composite building
At the end of 2018, the iXblue shipyard started construction demonstrations, which specializes in composite shipbuilding. Based on the results of multiple studies and experimental tests on different types of resins and fibers, this demonstrator aims to find the most suitable material and structural connection for FRP ship construction. It aims to establish the technical and economic feasibility of such buildings by developing methods that are easy to industrialize.
At the same time, FIBRESHIP has developed a material selection method and verified the mechanical properties, fatigue behavior simulation and small-scale fire resistance tests of the proposed materials. High-precision calculation software is also designed to aid structural design, taking into account both static and dynamic forces.
Planned to end in May 2020, the FIBRESHIP project includes the following studies:
Production and development of modular assembly technology in existing shipyards and its adaptability to this technology;
Develop long-term structural health monitoring and damage control strategies;
Develop inspection, repair and maintenance procedures;
Management analysis of waste generation, life cycle and dismantling of large ships.
The presenter integrates most of the progress. After completing the verification, FIBRESHIP aims to confirm the feasibility of building FRP composites in three types of ships over 50 meters in length and is considered to be the most promising in the future shipping industry:
240m light commercial ship;
Passenger transport and leisure boats, such as ROPAX 230 meters long;
Special service vessels, such as fishery research vessels with a length of 85 meters, have been used for demonstration design.
The FIBRESHIP Alliance has been working for almost two years to develop a framework for the design, construction and operation of large FRP vessels. "This is a major technical and regulatory challenge," said FIBRESHIP coordinator Alfonso Jurado. "This will establish the future of European shipbuilding by combining technology, innovation, sustainability and market acceptance."
The European Classification Society (Bureau Veritas, Lloyd's Register and RINA) and other members of the alliance are drafting specific regulations aimed at setting specific regulations for the use of composite materials in large ships in the future.
FIBERSHIP will present its results to the RAMSSES project to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), with the aim of demonstrating the feasibility of the technology in the naval field and promoting the modification or adjustment of existing SOLAS regulations.
Multiple benefits from innovation
Important benefits of using FRP for the shipbuilding and marine sectors include:
Due to the reduced power capacity, a significant reduction in structural weight means saving fuel and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
With no corrosion, better life-cycle performance and lower maintenance costs.
Improved underwater acoustic signals and reduced vibration transmission.
Establishing a new shipbuilding market allows European countries to maintain their competitiveness with other countries in other continents.