Design of POD Auxiliary Lifting Frame
Navy Vessel Class: The Canberra Class Amphibious Assault Ship, also known as a Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD), provides the Australian Defence Force with one of the most capable and sophisticated air-land-sea amphibious deployment systems in the world. These are the largest ships ever built for the Royal Australian Navy and are able to land a force of over 1,000 personnel by helicopter and water craft, along with all their weapons, ammunition, vehicles and stores.
Services
Rubicon was engaged to complete detailed design, structural analysis and fabrication details, including welding and procurement specification, for an Auxiliary Lifting Frame and supporting double beams designed to support the load of Canberra Class LHD electric POD propulsion systems. The Auxiliary Lifting Frame and Support Beams are used in conjunction with a Self-Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) to support the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) Propulsion Pods during removal and installation activities.
Scope
- Undertake Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for strength, buckling and serviceability, with design loads and load factors applied in accordance with Australian Standards.
Project Outcome
9 Load cases were analysed. FEA demonstrated that the structure will not exceed permissible stress, critical buckling load factor and deflection limits under each specified load case. The Auxiliary Lifting Frame was constructed and used to support removal and installation activities for the LHD POD propulsion system.
