Catamaran Design: Materials and Methodology

Catamaran Design
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Executive summary
Materials vary in nature and the best selection depends on the stiffness, strength and durability of
each. However, it is important to take into consideration the cost implications of each material.
Moreover, each design is dependent on the methodology that is used for the eventual build. That
stated, in the design of the catamaran, there are two elements that have been used. The beam has
been designed using E-glass fiber while the cable stays and the support cables have been
designed using stainless steel. The flexural strength of the former has been imperative in the
beam design while the elastic modulus of the latter has played a big role in the cable stays and
support cable design.

The Beam Design
Like in many catamaran designs, the best material for use is glass fiber. In line with this, glass
fiber has been defined as a composite material that is composed of very minute filaments of glass
fiber that are woven into a yarn and eventually woven into a specified fabric (Karlson, 1993).
In line with this, the material has been chosen because of some of its properties which include
high strength and the durability.
. Given the strength and the young’s modulus of the glass fiber, it can be clearly seen that the
beam can withstand various loadings. On top of this, the material has been described to be very
durable and has the capability to withstand corrosion from water. However, in order to reinforce
the properties of the glass fiber, the design may also incorporate the use of plastic resin.
In line with a comparison of the other elements that have been listed, it is important to
understand that the strength and weight ratio is comparatively high in the glass fiber (Karlson,
1993). Nevertheless, one of the major strengths that is associated with the first design material,
glass fiber. This is among the most commendable materials when it comes to durability and
strength. In particular, the E-glass fiber that that has a composition of 54% silicon oxide, 12%
calcium oxide and 15% aluminum oxide may be one of the mist viable choices when it comes to
the beam design (Boyd, Blake, Shenoi, & Mawella, 2008).
It is important to understand that beams are an intricate part of the whole structure. They are
supposed to support a support base for the overall load emanating from the haul, the cable stays
and the mast. Therefore, the beam element needs to have significant strength to weight ratio.
However, the compressive strength, elastic strength and the endurance limit may be more