FEA stress analysis of 17th century wooden ship hull.

1. The Santa Maria revisited: using
Finite Element Simulation in a study
of classical Naval Architecture
09/29/17 rev A
Don Blanchet
3B Associates
dwb3298@verizon.net

2. USS Constitution refit 1830
Copper hull sheathing added

3. CAD model from GrabCad

4. Structural wooden hull and
frame design
HAND DRAFTED ON THE FLOOR IN FULL SCALE
USING SHIPS CURVES AND LEAD DOLLYS

5. Oak framing
Length = 74 feet
Beam = 15 feet

6. Framing detail

7. Frame section #25 - mesh

8. Mesh detail
Bonded contact zones
Representing wooden
Dowels or welded metal
joints

9. Lateral hull loading – 2 tons

10. Maximum stress , 7100 psi

11. Maximum deformation
.040 inches

12. Trade study results frame #25
material Stress
psi
Deformation
inches
Weight
ton
Factor
Of
Safety
Oak
Hand
hewn
7100 0.039 1.0 1.0
Aluminum
Welded
plate
8000 0.016 4.5 2.0
Steel
Welded
plate
8500 0.005 14.0 5.0

13. Conclusion:
 Modern metals and joining can result
in a very large weight penalty.
 There are significant design strength
margins using the metals for this
component.

14. 2017