Repairing and strengthening existing steel structures to meet ‘as built’ strength with a permanent, class-approved repair solution including:

SPS structural composite panels offer fast and economical ship repair close to operational routes, including passenger and vehicle decks and larger port infrastructure projects like link-span bridges. Adjacent and underdeck services are not disturbed, reducing project risks. Careful project planning and execution ensure that vessel dockings and sailing schedules are unaffected. 

Please watch our YouTube video for more information about using SPS in link-span bridges.

Strengthening existing steel structures through permanent, class-approved structural ship repair, including:

SPS has been extensively used to increase the loading capacity of existing decks. Costly and inefficient conventional ways include replating with thicker steel and additional stiffeners. SPS utilises existing structure to strengthen decks for higher loading capabilities.

Through the application of SPS to the ice belt region, vessels can be upgraded to ice class rating. It is a simple, cost-effective method that improves the lifetime performance of a vessel.

SPS delivers an improved, impact-resistant and permanently flat surface.  Dishing is eliminated leading to easier, more efficient cargo handling, reduced turnaround times and improved long-term operational economics. Maintenance costs are reduced as a result of enhanced resistance to wear and corrosion.

Structural composite SPS can be used to create thermal boundaries enabling operators to, for instance, maintain different but very stable temperatures in individual tanks and optimise tank storage. 

Alternative solutions such as conventional steel cofferdams involve constructing void spaces in adjacent tanks. These are not structurally efficient and may create additional maintenance costs and operational risks from the possible build-up of explosive gases.

SPS is exceptionally resistant to fire and an extremely effective barrier to heat, flames, smoke and toxic gases. It will help to contain a fire and prevent it from spreading to adjacent compartments, greatly limiting the growth of a fire through a structure. A 25mm [1in] SPS core provides an A60 barrier. SPS also has H120, H60 and J60 certification.

Tests have demonstrated SPS’s elastomer core is impermeable to hydrocarbons, cannot absorb any chemical without volume change, and will not degrade, react with, nor contaminate the chemical.

The SPS solution can employ bi-metal perimeter bars to allow easy welding of carbon steel to the existing structure and stainless steel plates to the stainless side of the bi-metal bars. In addition, the thermal conductivity of SPS is sufficiently low that the elastomer core adequately provides the required level of insulation.

SPS also protects the main structure from cryogenic spills or vulnerable areas of LNG carrier decks and loading platforms.

Please read this case study about protecting tanks with SPS.

SPS is an ideal product for citadel hardening. The composite structure of SPS provides impact protection that is far superior to standard steel water-tight doors and can be retrofitted into existing doorways more readily than other alternatives.

Tested by major defence institutes, SPS is proven to absorb more blast energy through membrane action than equivalent all-steel structures, resisting rupture and maintaining structural integrity. SPS is also highly resistant to projectiles delivered at shorter strike ranges and higher angles of attack.

Read more about in this case study about  Citadel Protection.

Through the application of SPS to affected areas, sound and vibration issues can be rectified.  The SPS elastomer core greatly reduces the propagation of vibration and noise through steel structure. Read more about the use of SPS for noise and vibration damping aboard a RoPax ferry. 

Additionally, a ‘thin core’ arrangement (15mm Elastocore centre) plus an aluminium top plate to reduce weight better than ‘Waffle Deck’ or other epoxy coating arrangements.