Structural mechanical testing of a full-size adhesively bonded motorboat

This paper describes the tests performed on a full-size motorboat to demonstrate the potential for adhesive bonding to replace overlaminated connections. Adhesive bonding resulted in a significant reduction in assembly time for bulkhead connections compared with overlamination. Drop tests and sea trials were performed using specially adapted strain gauge instrumentation. These indicated low adhesive joint strain levels, even for severe test conditions. No damage was observed. The data obtained will be used to improve laboratory test procedures to simulate service loading of boat structures.