Overview
2018-454-007
General Dynamics NASSCO
San Diego State University
General Dynamics Bath Iron Works
August 2019 – July 2021
INDUSTRY INVESTMENT: $667K | NSRP ASE INVESTMENT $1,222K
OBJECTIVE
This project’s overall goal is to demonstrate that swaged bulkheads have fatigue strength equivalent to or better than a structurally equivalent, traditionally stiffened bulkhead.
SUMMARY
U.S. shipyards are moving closer to implementing cost-saving swaged bulkheads on a large scale. In order for the U.S. Navy to benefit from swaged bulkheads, further investigation is required to determine the structural capacity of such novel arrangements when used in Naval applications, including surface combatants. The fatigue life of swaged bulkheads will be investigated in this project through finite element analysis, supplemented by physical fatigue testing. The results of the analysis and testing will be compared and utilized to verify that swaged bulkheads perform comparably to traditionally stiffened bulkheads.
KEY DELIVERABLES / BENEFITS
- Completion of Fatigue Test Plan and Testing Preparations
- Completion of Fatigue Testing and Project Final Report
Integration of swaged bulkheads into existing ship systems to bring this cost-saving technology into U.S. built ships on a large scale.
POINT OF CONTACT: Jessica Skogberg | General Dynamics NASSCO | jessica.skogberg@nassco.com