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

USS Constitution refit 1830

Copper hull sheathing added

CAD model from GrabCad

Structural wooden hull and frame design

HAND DRAFTED ON THE FLOOR IN FULL SCALE USING SHIPS CURVES AND LEAD DOLLYS

Oak framing

Length = 74 feetBeam = 15 feet

Framing detail

Frame section #25 - mesh

Mesh detail

Bonded contact zonesRepresenting wooden

Dowels or welded metaljoints

Lateral hull loading – 2 tons

Maximum stress , 7100 psi

Maximum deformation.040 inches

Trade study results frame #25

material Stresspsi

Deformationinches

Weightton

FactorOf

Safety

OakHandhewn

7100 0.039 1.0 1.0

AluminumWeldedplate

8000 0.016 4.5 2.0

SteelWeldedplate

8500 0.005 14.0 5.0

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.

2017