Posted by Roy Mengot on June 05, 1999 at 19:20:57 in 209.30.31.76:
In Reply to: Expansion joint posted by Doug May on May 31, 1999 at 13:07:48:
: Could someone explain to me how the expantion joint worked. How far did it extend? Obviously not down the sides of the hull. So what was its real purpose?
The structural element of the hull extends up to the base of B-deck. All else above is fluff. Since there are 3 stories of deck structures above that point, the expansion joint was added fore and aft for more flexibility. The location of the joint is based on projected areas of main stress. The areas under the joint are reenforced, not because the joint is there, but because that's where the stress will be.
The joint is not the weak spot in the ships design as the recent break-up theories on TV lead you to believe. They just allow for flex in the fluff of the upper superstucture. The strength of the ship is from B-deck down, and the knife-like break in the ship is 50' forward of the expansion joint.