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Hi Guys. I'm casting around for some ideas on how best to add depth to the
hull at the window area.
The main stiffener ribs are still not resolved but the windows need some
stuff.
Any thoughts ( good or bad ) are welcome.
I'm leaning toward replacing the main window assembly with a 1 inch thick
sleeve.This will still leave me with a 19 inch viewing area by expanding the
hole a little and a thicker sleeve. This could be done next winter.
The two smaller windows are 16 inch dia. sleeves ( ID ) and the 1
inch thick base ring inside the sleeve is more or less directly adjacent to
where the hull connects to the sleeve. If I add a 1/2 inch thick by 2 or 3 inch
wide band around the window sleeves this will pretty much replace all the metal
that was cut out for the window hole. It's bound to stiffen the area and it's
fairly easy to do if done on the outside.
Although not completely full thick steel, that will make the area around
the two smaller windows 7/8 inch thick.
Any thoughts on this latest hair brained idea?
I'm taking Hugh's advice and will see if I can get an engineering student
locally to run some FEA on this and maybe some other ideas.
It just seems like having that 1 inch thick ring across from where the hull
connects that it would prevent the "squeeze" stress on the window sleeve. With a
1/2 inch doughnut ring added, it's getting stronger than the hull with no
hole.
Still thinking on this whole thing.
Frank D.
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