Abstract
ABSTRACTThe use of aluminum as a structural material for deckhouses goes back to the 1890s. The alloys first used had corrosion problems, so use was ended until the mid 1930s, when it was reintroduced as panels riveted to steel frames. Riveted construction was replaced with all welded construction in the 1950s. Improved alloys and welding greatly reduced corrosion problems. Cracking of the welded construction caused another maintenance problem. Aluminum continued to be the standard deckhouse material because its use reduced topside weight by one half. Aluminum's maintenance problems and poor performance in fires has led to its elimination from current ship designs. With this change in design philosophy, it appears that a chapter in U.S. Navy ship design has been closed. This paper reviews the experiences of the past, with a look toward the future use of aluminum in combatant ship design.
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