State of the Art
Prefabricated modular cabins have largely replaced the ‘in-situ’ made cabins in cruise ships and ferries. Cabins are usually built without floor (which is part of the steel structure) – making transport and installation difficult and restrict pre-outfitting. Distribution infrastructure (cables, pipes, ventilation) is usually integrated in the steel structure, but not in the cabins. Windows and other sensitive elements can only be installed at a late stage when the cabin is fully connected and integrated. Hence, the lightweight and pre-outfitting (lead-time and cost reduction) potential of fully integrated pre-outfitted cabins is not fully exploited.
Objective
Design innovative cabins and ship structure interfaces to generate a novel ship structure architecture, reducing weight, size, costs, production times, maintenance, and refurbishment effort. This includes the design of a six-side cabin module for full functional modularity, the use of innovative hybrid or composite lightweight components and modified network integration into the cabin modules.
Solution
The outfitting sequence is modified in order to install cabins that are as far as possible finished and ready for final inspection by the customers without needing any work inside. The floor and the bay window are added to the existing prefabricated cabin. Two solutions were evaluated for floor material: Ecopreg and Zaltex. Both materials have been assessed through the mechanical test and analytic calculations and proofed a weight reduction of the overall cabin structure. Ecopreg is showing the best potential and further work is needed to ensure fire capabilities.
Potential
Fostering the modular approach, which allows combining standard elements to customer specific solutions. Prefabricated, self-sustainable cabins can be used for a variety of PAX ships, offshore accommodation, but also land-based buildings and ad-hoc (emergency) accommodation.