MMS Technology, with years of experience in materials and structures, was approached for the design, analysis and manufacture of structural panels for the new scientific base on Marion Island in the Indian Ocean. In order to withstand the environmental as well as structural loading on the panels, finite element models of the panels were generated, and various materials were investigated for suitability from a structural, manufacturing and cost point of view.
MMS Technology manufactured all the structural wall and floor panels of the Marion Island Research Base. Materials utilized were phenolic and polyester resins, E-glass stitched weave fabric and PIC foam cores. Processing was by means of vacuum infusion.
A total of 1760 GRP panels were required for the project. Total panel area manufactured: 11 825 m^2 Typical panel size: 7m x 2.6m x 120mm.
The panels comprised out of:
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710 Polyester/glass wall and gable panels.
-
640 Polyester/glass ducting panels.
- 410 Phenolic floor panels.
- 50 ton Polyester resin.
- 55 ton Phenolic resin.
- 6 ton Gel-coat.
- 45 ton PIC Foam.
- 150 ton stitched weave glass fibre.
- More than 60m^3 of wood for crating.
- All glazing.
- All PVC window frames
- External doors, both steel and glazed.
- Several other construction components such as fasteners and adhesives.
- A total of 670 different panel shapes and sizes were required.
- Heated molds were used for all phenolic/glass panels.
- Room temperature molds were used for all polyester/glass panels.
