RoPax Ferry Noise and Vibration Damping
Project Type
Enhancement / Noise and Vibration Damping
Location
In-service, in the Mediterranean
Date
November 2012
Owner
Subject to NDA
Classification
Bureau Veritas
SPS Technology’s Sandwich Plate System can absorb many types of energy more efficiently than traditional materials and can be used for noise and vibration damping. After collaborative research and development with the client, SPS was specified on this new build roll on, roll off passenger (RoPax) ferry in November 2012 to reduce noise due to the propeller, following passenger complaints about cabin noise levels.
Using large scale mock-ups, in which the actual passenger cabins were replicated, the noise within the existing cabins was recreated and compared to noise in the cabin after Sandwich Plate System was applied. Collecting data from microphones and accelerometers, the team measured the following:
Test cases:
- Case 1: Measuring the noise in cabin when tapping on the bare steel plate
- Case 2: Measuring the noise in cabin when tapping on the SPS
The results of the testing successfully showed that using SPS as an overlay reduced the noise to required levels within the cabin. SPS was then applied to the bottom shell plating of the deck in question on the vessel during service. In total, 40 cavities were filled – with elastomer injections covering a total area of 42.2m² – and the solution was to the satisfaction of the client, Class approval society and passengers.
This use of Sandwich Plate System for noise and vibration damping can be used across many different markets and applications.
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