Advanced Structural Development of an Interior, Elevated Decking System (MSC P6001)

There is a critical need to replace the current honeycomb decking systems in service on Navy ships. Installation of current elevated decking systems is labor intensive and frequent, expensive maintenance is required to repair or replace deck panels that are easily damaged under heavy foot traffic or operational loading conditions. Improved material systems and more efficient manufacturing methods are needed to realize more efficient, damage tolerant false deck systems that can be more easily installed and withstand expected in-service loading conditions. Improved fire-resistant material formulations, efficient structural designs and cost-effective pultrusion processing are proposed as part of this research to achieve improved structural integrity and reduced total ownership costs. The proposed composite material system offers improved strength/stiffness and FST performance in a pultruded composite structure with integrated attachment features. The Phase I Integrated Product Team consisting of a recognized composite ship structure design organization, large-scale pultrusion manufacturer and a major shipbuilder ensures the successful product development and transition to a Navy ship system. BENEFITS: The primary benefit/application for this research is for an efficient, damage tolerant decking system for the DDG51 ship class as well as other Navy and commercial ship systems. Other potential applications exist for commercial buildings (computer rooms, laboratories), rail car flooring panels, and bridge decks, for example.