Alternate Blocking Materials
This is a Research and Development Panel Project accepted by the National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP). Panel Projects are project opportunities that are important to the shipbuilding and ship repair industry chosen by the NSRP Executive Control Board.
The purpose of this project is to design and test three different materials as candidates for replacing structural elements of dry dock blocks. Two materials to be tested will be High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and neoprene, which are targeted at replacing soft and hard wood caps. The third material to be tested will be fiber reinforced concrete intended to replace the traditional steel reinforced concrete block. The goal of exploring alternate blocking materials is to be able to reduce the cost of wood materials consumed for each drydocking and extend the service life of the concrete blocks, reducing the overall shipyard operating cost and local environment impact.
See the latest progress report:
Progress Report 2
Progress Report 1
Contact Us for interest in participation!
Sign up for our Quarterly Newsletter for Updates
The purpose of this project is to design and test three different materials as candidates for replacing structural elements of dry dock blocks. Two materials to be tested will be High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and neoprene, which are targeted at replacing soft and hard wood caps. The third material to be tested will be fiber reinforced concrete intended to replace the traditional steel reinforced concrete block. The goal of exploring alternate blocking materials is to be able to reduce the cost of wood materials consumed for each drydocking and extend the service life of the concrete blocks, reducing the overall shipyard operating cost and local environment impact.
See the latest progress report:
Progress Report 2
Progress Report 1
Contact Us for interest in participation!
Sign up for our Quarterly Newsletter for Updates