The Composite Superstructure Concept : An Environment-Friendly a Cost Efficient Approach

In 2003 the Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems, VINNOVA, made a call for research applications within the area of “Lightweight Materials and Lightweight Design”. The aim was to support a transition from high density construction materials to more sophisticated lightweight materials and to create networks of organisations (industry, research, authorities...) into a Technical Platform of various and complementary knowledge and know-how that could both support and sustain the said transition.The combination of a strong industrial interest and the need for fire safety design was the basis for SP Fire Technology to prepare and send an application to VINNOVA entitled “Lightweight construction applications at sea” (LASS). The core task described in the application was to investigate technically and economically four different vessels where appropriate parts had been re-designed using lightweight materials.The initial objects for study were: A 24 m all composite passenger HSC (high speed craft) An 88 m aluminium high speed catamaran with an FRP composite superstructure A 199 m RoRo vessel with an aluminium deck house A 188 m RoPax vessel with an FRP composite superstructure. Two additional objects were later introduced into the project: An 89 meter dry cargo freight vessel with parts in FRP composite An offshore living quarter (LQ) module in aluminium. The application was accepted by VINNOVA in the autumn of 2004 and the kick-off meeting was held in Boras in January 2005. The project officially ended the 30th of June, 2008.