Fiberglass Reinforced Piping for Shipboard Systems
Abstract
Fiberglass reinforced piping was introduced initially into the chemical industries as process piping in the mid-1950's This was a logical application, since these composites offer excellent resistance to corrosion. Since then, fiberglass reinforced piping systems have found general acceptance in diverse industries. Fiberglass reinforced piping has been used aboard ship to a limited degree, and with varying success, in cargo lines, ballast lines, conduit, service lines, and the like. Previous attempts to introduce fiberglass piping systems into shipboard services have faced four major obstacles: 1) Absence of adequate piping engineering data to enable a designer to translate the effects of ship movement into stress and strain on fiberglass piping; and consequently, lack of acceptable testing criteria permitting evaluation of suitability and predictability of long term performance. 2) Lack of essential design practices for such shipbuilding details as bulk penetrations, anchoring, supports, and pipe hangers. 3) Unavailability of data necessary to design and test a fiberglass pipe joining system, adequate to the marine environment. 4) Finally, lack of a sound basis for the regulatory bodies and classification societies on which to evaluate the general acceptability of fiberglass piping for various marine services. This study examines the design and installation problems and the comparative economics in substituting fiberglass for steel in actual designs of shipboard piping system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA451500
Entities
People
- C. Grant
- D. Abbott
- G. A. Uberti
- J. Biro
- Jennifer Carter
- R. Monastero
Organizations
- National Steel and Shipbuilding Company