Origami steel boat with one plate

Not at all. The canoes were made with either folds or cuts to modify the shape. They were very sophisticated designs that are nothing like what the OP is proposing. Read "Bark Canoes and Skin Boats in North America". It has lines, patterns and building techniques.

 

I didn't want to discuss here if steel boats are good or not, or other more philosophycal design aspects, but:
- what are the engineering parameters to consider?
- how would be possible to measure them of this particular shape?
- and if possible how to optimize this design

This post from Skyak seems to me the nearest to the objective, so I would take it for reply:

The two main points seems the stiffness and conic shape.

Regarding stiffness I think that with some horizontal sections (even some very simple bar/tube) would make it stiffer (and maybe also would be able to have some control the the shape).

Regarding conic section, what if weight distribution would be done so that front will be put deeper in the water than the back, so that a "drop shape" water section would be created?

 

These fellas seem to get by.... http://iview.abc.net.au/programs/black-as/IP1420D015S00

J.

 

Found also a reference thread here on BD: http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/steel-canoe-plans-24527.html

The point remain the same: try to evaluate efficiency vs standard designs! (of nice flat sheet, not corrugated! )

PS: stiffness seems good with horizontal sections (here http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/at...6d1230862905-steel-canoe-plans-schapelle1.jpg also with sits function) as pointed before

 

Another possible option for avoiding conic shape would be to join two of these forms (shaped equally and more cylindrical at the end) having a final shape similar to a full standard canoe (and probably a more efficient shape).

Surely this has to be evaluated as a completely different option from the other design.

 

...Like a birch bark canoe.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Birch-Bark-Canoe-Handcrafted-48-Created-From-Real-Birch-Bark-/391536778674

 

Trying to make a load carrying boat from the single conic in your original post by moving weight forward creates a deep forefoot with tracking/handling problems.

Making a canoe hull from two conic shapes joined at the keel -BINGO! Many of the problems can be addressed. The best answer to your original question 'why not...' is that it is so easy to make a much better boat with 2 conics that nobody wants the sacrifices of one. The only successful origami boats are the ones that fold to other shapes for storage or transport.

A noteworthy boat would be the aluminum canoe which can be made by folding up the ends and welding -then the middle is bent out of conic to give it strength and a better shape. Metals ability to be stamped to shape is about it's most useful characteristic for making a boat.

 

Engineering parameters are based on considerations of whether a design and materials are good or not; there is no other purpose to engineering. You can build a model and test it for preliminary data. Optimization can not be done unless there is a statement of requirements (SOR) for the design to fulfill. In other words, optimization is purpose oriented.

 

Check this vid, really slick stretch forming..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaL1Qri10p0
A mates Dad also adopted stretch forming for Quintrex boats and later for the Quanson 20' trailer sailer.
Jeff

 

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/metal-boat-building/origami-steel-yacht-construction-248.html