How to do strength assessment

[Hafiz Zainal]

Hye,

I am a marine technology student. I am now building a foldable boat. I have problems to calculate the hull strength since i considering polyethylene as the hull material. Does anyone here know which rule to refer to?

I have go through some rule like Lloyds and BV but I couldn't find the calculation for PE. Thank you.

Hafiz Zainal
Marine Technology student, UTM Malaysia.

[gonzo]

Are you asking about strength or stiffness? Also, strength is a very loose term. In usuall conversation it may mean many things. If you are planning on being an engineer or technician, work hard at using the proper and specific terms.

[Eric Sponberg]

A small foldable boat will not be covered by the classification societies. You have to use first principles engineering seasoned with a bit of street smarts (common sense).

Eric

[petlily]

As your boat might be a plain hull without any stiffener, it's quite easy just to apply first principles approach. First, find the mechanical properties of PE. Then you should have the section modulus given that you've already figured out the midship section. Assuming your body weight as the projected load, get the overall still water bending moment (shear force is less significant in this case, assuming you have only one compartment). You should be able to find the stress then. Good luck for your 'bot kotak'..and the racing.