JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #93 - December 2014 - 42

car ferries

Barracuda develops car ferries
with composite superstructures
The constant demand for producing light and resistant vessels
has launched an ongoing challenge for boat builders worldwide.
New material solutions and processes have increasingly contributed in the evolution of the design and construction of boats.
Nowadays, boats, sailboats, commercial vessels, military, rescue
and race have increasingly used the products and technology
developed by Barracuda Advanced Composites.

n a pioneering initiative, the Brazilian
state company DERSA contracted
the new building and refitting of 12
car ferry boats from 35 to 48 metres
in length. The project's objective is to
replace the original steel superstructure
with a new one made of composite
materials. To design the new concept,
the engineering division of Barracuda
Advanced Composites, Brazil, created
a series of prefabricated composite
modules.

Fuel economy
The project, which is intended to
increase transportation infrastructure
in the state of Sao Paulo, was ready by
June 2014. DERSA is a state-controlled
company founded in 1969 to manage
highways and operate all ferry boat
services in the state's 622 km of coastal
line. According to DERSA, the project's
aim is to reduce the transit time by 30%
for an average of 25,000 vehicles per
day. The total investment for the new
structures, the refit and the new docks
will reach 40 million dollars.
Barracuda engineered the new superstructure, rails and topsides using sandwich construction and a resin infusion

process. The composite modules have
average dimensions of 3.00 x 2.40
metres with flanges and assembled
over the steel barge. The new composite design will result in overall weight
reductions, fuel economy and reduced
maintenance costs, while offering a
better cosmetic design.

Specific solutions

Besides its wide distribution network
focused on the development of projects
with its clients, providing a precise supply of raw materials and personalized
technical support for manufacturing
low-weight structures, Barracuda Advanced Composites conducts research
and frequent tests to transform scientific knowledge into technology and
practical results associated with their
products in order to create innovative
solutions for their clients. n

Barracuda Advanced Composites, established in Brazil since 1986, has been
all along the country's main developer
of buildings and structures made of
composite materials. Through demonsMore information:
www.barracudacomposites.com.br
trations, workshops and specialized training, the company has been
disseminating
knowledge on
the use of composite materials, lamination techniques
and modern
construction
methods, providing technology and information for the
development
The project's objective is to replace the original steel superstructure with a new
of the Brazione made of composite materials
lian market.

42 jec composites magazine / No93 December 2014

http://www.barracudacomposites.com.br

JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #93 - December 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #93 - December 2014