Sean`s Pods....

minimum allowable......sorry need to pay attention ......

 

I don`t see any better way to connect these ( modules ) than to bolt around perimeter.

 

Then you will need to estimate the total full load of the whole arrangement very carefully. Since this will affect your "method of fixing". Do you intend for the modules to always remain as modules?..if not problem solved.
It shall either be flexible or rigid.
Both have their pro's and con's

 

Answer : " If not . "
It shall be rigid

 

It is not the size of your bolt that matters...

Hello...
Looks like I have been mistaken as an P.Eng or N.Arch again because I doodle boats and build boats for a living...
The three are very different means of making money...
By all accounts AD HOC sounds very much a P.Eng or N.Arch which is fine...
As this is very much an undeveloped surface model - there is NO data - it is a study in how to get standing headroom with self draining floors and a very basic scow hull from full 4x8 sheet material with minimal tooling - that is it...
It is a response to what I could do if I could get divorced and still have a few bucks in my pocket...
With all due respect - this is not something that needs to be engineered to death - unless you intend commercial usage...
Aside from all this banter - I suppose I should give this some thought - it is intrigueing - but remember - the original boat 'doodle' was not intended to be 'podular' - that was just a side thought...
SH.

 

joint

enough of these at the joins and they would be stronger than the hull material but heavier, then theres the matter of sealing

this is just the general idea

 

Actually , a better way to couple these pods would be to not make them rigid at all , but flexible . One could use end to end ( tensioned ) webbing and simple neoprene gaskets..............

It would greatly reduce the stresses. Think of Wharram`s beam lashings .

 

Plugs And Hyfield Levers

Hello...
Just a thought...
Since the LEGO boat is still in my head and everyone is liking the 'podular' - here is another thought - other than velcro and duct tape...
I am modelling a bolt on hyfield lever that I could TIG from stainless that would not be completely ugly until the 'juice' takes over...
Some male into females and some clever levers and you might have something...
SH.

 

Spot on Sean...Highfield lever and tapered or conical self aligning sockets.

 

do you really want movement at the joints, what if they began ocilating?

 

Only enough ( movement ) to relieve any stress concentrations ( or point loading ). The cables are tensioned enough to compress or push the modules together.There still would be shear loading , but moderate.

 

Conical Sockets...

Hello...
Yes - conical sockets would be good - but harder to produce unless you did FRP - someone must have weld on aluminums - this is getting interesting...
See - http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/r/projects/tims/index.htm ...
I will run some numbers for your 32 footer just now - hang on - got a 'juice' buzz on...
SH.

 

Boat Names...

Hello...
It will have to be called 'ToolBox' - if built per the Highfield or Hyfield - latchings...
SH.

 

If the whole structure was made with plywood and the joins taped glass, and had buoyant bottom as individually sealed voids with the floor above the waterline then the modules could also be joined at both ends using a similar method as used in my boat build, epoxy filleted butt joins and taped over both inside and out... dead easy and would make a quite respectable river boat... add some lowering/raising wheels and a "mobile trailer home" that is also a "floating home"...