Insertion of a Viscoelastic Layer to Reduce the Propagation of Energy by Vertical Impacts of Slamming in Planing Hull Vessels

Abstract

For the design of vessels built by GFRP laminates, an insert with a viscoelastic layer is proposed to reduce the spread of damage produced by the vertical impact of the ship's bottom with the sea or slamming phenomenon. Using vertical drops-weight impact machine that reproduce the energy inferred to the panel during navigation, the propagation of the damage of OoA cured prepreg panels is studied comparing it with modified panels with insertion of viscoelastic layer. The use of acceleration data reading allows the benefits of viscoelastic modification during impact to be quantified through the developed formulation. The force, displacement and energy returned by the panel after impact have also been quantified, which does not become intralaminar and interlaminar damage. It is shown that under 40 joules of impact, the viscoelastic sheet has its best ability to return energy and above 130 joules it loses its capacity.