Finite Element Analysis (FEA) has become an essential skill. This course covers theoretical and practical aspects of FEA applied to structural analysis. In the theoretical section, you will explore concepts like material resistance, beam models, finite element fundamentals, and how a FEA software works. The practical lessons will guide you through model preparation, meshing, local axis, boundary conditions, materials, loads, post-processing, key results to look for, and how to prepare a professional report. The course also features multiple examples based on a bulk carrier ship and a fast craft and culminates in a final project involving a planning motorboat, which will allow you to apply everything you have learned in a practical context.

Structural design and scantling determination are crucial steps in a vessel’s design process since providing sufficient structural strength is one of the main objectives when designing floating devices. Moreover, they also affect other aspects of a vessel, such as resistance and stability. By completing this course, you will be able to design the structure of a boat, understand the ISO 12215 norm and the fundamentals behind it, and apply this norm to evaluate the scantling of either motorboats or sailing yachts.

This course will explain the ISO 12215 - 5 standard, perform a complete calculation of a monohull, help analyze the results obtained, and explain why some solutions are more suitable than others. The course develops step-by-step scantling calculations of a 17m length GPR sailboat: hull, appendages, and rig.