1.2.1.3.1 Shipyard - Building - Hull - Construction photos - Tanks

Fig. 3.1.9h, i, j, k Note that multi-bend (2x) single axis bending can be achieved with a sub-millimeter precision to fit tank sides (h). The tank sides join the main plate and, surprise, all is well (i). The sides were given a slight belly of max about 3cm in the center of the side-plate (see detail between two tanks (j). Sides are welded to the main corpus with two weld passes on a permanent backing bar (e). Fig. k shows internal buffer structure of the tank.

PS Note on tanks: one uncertainty associated with a typical aluminium tank design is a sharp-corner three point welding. This MIGHT cause the tank to crack at corners due to internal stresses associated with thee point welding. As pointed out by Kevin Morin from the metalboatsociety, this is more likely to happen with MIG welding; however, according to Kevin, if TIG is used, there has not been any problem with over 300 tanks he has built in the past 3 decades. In any case, sailjoohee dot com has eliminated the potential problem with sharp-corner three-point welding all-together by round corner design which allows effectively lighter tank with much superior life expectancy and strength to traditional alu-tanks.

PS2 David Pascoe has also something nice to say about alu-diesel tank.

Dates: (i) 10.1.2007, (k) 27.12.2006

NEXT>>