Materials and structures research thrusts: recommendations for the maritime environment

Abstract

This report summarises the finding of an international workshop held in Southampton on the 16th - 18th November 2005 to explore materials and structures long-term research and development requirements for the maritime environment.Fifty subject area experts were drawn from eight countries to identify r &amp; d needs in the areas of: modelling and simulation; materials and structures; above water environment; below water environment.A fifth area entitled "complex design risk reduction" was also considered as selected by the attendees during the workshop.The resulting recommendations, provided in section 3, are to be supplied to the attendees, various funding bodies including the UK's MOD, Dti and the Research Councils.Further collaboration embracing teams drawn from academia, research laboratories, manufacturing industry and regulatory authorities, both national and international, was seen as being vital to ensure continued materials and structures innovation in the maritime sector.Cross sector working was also considered a high priority where complimentary technologies should be jointly researched to reduce risk and accelerate technology insertion.<br/