Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Composite Hull Calculations

[Paul Kreemer <paulkreemer@gmail.com>]

It looks like a lot of the research and analysis software out there is aimed at wrapping a metal pressure vessel
with carbon fiber, or other filament materials.  I think the
fibers are mostly in
tension in this application and it just seems to me a little easier
problem than wrapping a
steel shell for compression.  It might be a unique use or
situation: even a scuba tank will always have a greater internal
pressure than ambient so I'm having trouble thinking of an application
other than a 1atm diving vessels where you'd see a higher external
pressure applied to a shell.  ??  And the added buoyancy
would be a negative...


I found some mention of this software, but couldn't actually find much description or anywhere to download or purchase it. It sounds fairly good but is for filament winding and
for pressure vessels.  And I'd say too that any through-hulls will greatly
increase the engineering over a simple pressure bottle with one
fitting/valve.

NASA code CF-72124 computer program for the analysis
of filament wound reinforced metal shell pressure vessels

On 11/7/05, Shawn H. <gambit7@bellsouth.net > wrote:

Yah, I was thinking about the autoclave process.  What about a huge vacuum bag??  Would that be sufficient?  (I have a feeling you're gonna say no)   Ideally, a 1/2" steel tank would be great...  but really hard to find pre-fab from what I can see (in the size I'm looking for).   Doing the hull in sections small enough to bake and/or place under vacuum is another idea, but then you have to worry about joining.  Argh!  Now I see how this can get obsessive.