Rugged Next Generation Composite False Deck System For Lightweight, Fire & Shock-Proof Elevated Open Spaces

Navy elevated deck structures utilize lightweight, fire-resistant composite deck tiles for walking surfaces. Current Nomex-cored glass/phenolic sandwich baseline panels are expensive, need special edge treatments after cutting to shape, and are frequently damaged by chipping at their thin edges. KaZaK has identified attractive pultrudable alternatives that can be used for the next generation of tough, inexpensive deck tiles. KaZaK designs will meet or exceed current system requirements, including weight and FST. Our designs will not require edge treatments when cut, will be considerably more resistant to the types of damage that destroy the current panels, and will permit panels to be repaired while underway and/or pier-side. KaZaK’s Phase II endeavors will focus on design, fabrication and testing of prototype deck panel hardware intended as a part-for-part replacement of existing DDG Nomex sandwich deck panels. Phase II panels will be designed to mount to the existing aluminum substructure. Panels will be built and subjected to a variety of testing including bending loads, impact, durability, FST and maintainability of the surface appearance. Novel core materials and automated, pultrusion-based manufacturing technology will be developed to minimize the cost of the new decking system. A complete shock test is planned for the Option Phase.