Prototyping and testing: series of steps and questions to be answered

To investigate the behavior of the floating module, a series of prototypes will be produced and tested in compression. First step is to identify the properties of the core and work towards its optimization in terms of strength and lightness. Once satisfactory results are reached, the optimized core will be laminated with a layer of FRP and, consequently, the properties of the composite module will be defined, through compression tests.

More specifically, the research will be organized as following:

By this stage the questions that need to be answered are summarized as such:

 Core

          

              PET bottles:

o      Grams of dry ice needed

o      Compressive strength of the carbonated bottled containing the dry ice

o      Packing method (vacuum membrane, band, adhesive?)

o      Should the void space between the bottles be filled?

o      Relation/Connection with the FRP layer

              PET Foam:

o      Is the lowest-density version of this foam material (80kg/m³) suitable?

o      Relationship with the exterior FRP layer (needs protection? Infusion holes in foam?)

o      Relationship with the bottles’ caps- should a sheet layer be placed in between?

Then the second phase contains the core with the surrounding FRP layer:

 Issues to be determined by this stage:

FRP layer

            Resin:

o      Resin to be used (in terms of strength, sustainability-recycling, durability)

o      Total thickness of the material

o      Volume shrinkage? Absorption from

             Fiber reinforcement:

o      Fiber reinforcement to be used  (in terms of strength, sustainability-recycling)

o      Type of fabric

o      Volume percentage of reinforcement

o      Direction of reinforcement

             Gelcoat:

o      Is it necessary?

o      If so, what kind of gelcoating should be applied

Floating Component

o      Compressive and bending strength

o      Total mass. How can the optimum strength-mass ratio be achieved?

o      How is the highest part (more foam) behaving in comparison with the lowest

When the stage of prototyping and testing is over, digital simulations will be required, to further understand the behavior of the platform as a whole:

Both for the physical tests and the digital simulations a list of criteria will be made, for the assessment of the different alternatives.