Segment Ship (1995)

CONCEPT: The vessel consists of detachable sections including a power plant module and various function-specific cargo modules. Four modules were designed: a stern module housing the power plant, a refrigerated container segment, a refrigerated liquid bulk segment, and a refrigerated liquid bulk bow module. With four modules the final overall length = 238.50m (long because of the hinge joints), beam = 24.41m, depth = 14.40m, and draft = 9.00m. Total final deadweight = 24,717 tonnes, lightship weight = 12,973 tonnes, with a total displacement of 37,691 tonnes. The stern power plant was designed to an output of 18,890KW shaft power. The total compliment was designed at a crew of 22 persons, including six passengers. Total estimated cost: US$107.48 million.

Each module is hinged to the next module, with two degrees of freedom in pitch and roll, designed to bend with wave action. The modular approach can achieve greater flexibility for ship design and redesign. The concept can be used with many types of vessels. The military could prepare pre-loaded modules with functions like hospital, heliport, Herrier carrier, armor transport, etcetera and put needed sections together for specific missions. Passenger vessels can be designed with function-specific modules for sleeping cabins, restaurants, etcetera. Additional "booster" modules can facilitate longer module trains.

DESIGN TEAM: Conceptual design and engineering: A. Scott Howe, architect. Advisor: Professor Michael Parsons, marine engineer.

DATE: Fall 1995.

STATUS: Only conceptual design and preliminary engineering completed for this project.

Other images and animations:
Segment ship paper and engineering calcs (PDF)