Thermal load effects on side plates of superyachts

Notwithstanding very accurate preparation, hull surfaces can undergo undesired alteration because of long expositions to solar radiation. This phenomenon is amplified when the surface is painted with dark colours which have the tendency of absorbing much greater solar heat. As stated by a previous investigation carried out on superyachts painted with dark colours, the surface of hull sides after a long exposition to solar radiation can reach temperatures close to 70-80°. In order to evaluate possible distortions of hull sides caused by thermal loads, an investigation has been carried out on the influence of temperature on the mechanical behaviour of steel plates coated by epoxy filler. The study has been developed by FEM structural analyses on a portion of a superyacht hull in the region of aft sides where the flatness of shell makes more visible possible distortions. Both steel and aluminium material have been considered covered by filler layers of different kind and thickness. A preliminary experimental investigation has been performed on a number of steel and aluminium specimens in order to calibrate the numerical models.