Simulation and Optimization of a CFRP and a GFRP floating pontoon

Abstract

Abstract According to the unique mechanical properties of composite materials, the replacement of the conventional materials like steel with composite materials is increasing in all fields. The low weight / capacity characteristics of composite materials make it possible to accommodate much more loads. Because of the great importance of the floating bridges for both military and civilian purposes especially in crises, the evolution of floating bridges is necessary. The traditional transportation steel ferry is composed of floating steel pontoons to accommodate the MLC-70 (Tank load) of weight equals (63.5 t). In this study, the steel floating pontoon is replaced with composite pontoon simulated for both carbon fibres polymers and glass fibres polymers with the laminate configuration [ ∝ 1 ∘ / ∝ 2 ∘ / ∝ 3 ∘ / … . / ∝ n ∘ ] . The finite element analysis is performed using ANSYS software. The capacity of the ferry is increased to reach (90 t) instead of (70 t). The total deformation is determined under the applied load. The failure criteria is investigated for both composite models (Tsai-Wu, Tsai-Hill, maximum stress and maximum strain). The nonlinear buckling analysis is also, investigated. The optimization process is designed and performed to get the optimum number of layers and angles orientation of the composite layers as well as possible.