composite chainplates

[Brion Toss]

Hi,
I do like this thread, in particular that paper, with its information on hybrid joints. Chainplates are a transition point for rig loads, having to accommodate the needs of both the standing rigging and the hull (as well as the requirements for humans living in the hull), so it is not surprising that, since the dawn of rigging, so many chainplate configurations and materials have been tried. But basically there is a concentrated load where the piece of rigging attaches, shifting to a distributed load into the relatively tender, fragile hull. Built-in carbon fiber "fan" chainplates take this to an extreme, but glassed-in steel chainplates approximate the same thing. And both suffer from difficulty of examination, and of difficulty of maintenance and repair. Bolted-in chainplates can achieve acceptable levels of load distribution and accessibility, along with minimal intrusion into crew space. Tie rod chainplates can be at least as good at all these considerations, plus they feature a modular construction, plus they offer an opportunity to bring HM materials into the mix; picture a rope chainplate, readily inspectable and replaceable, wedded to deck hardware that carries the load to a strong point on the hull, via a metal or HM tie rod. This type of thing is already being done, with varying degrees of success.
While waiting for designs to improve, it is still most practicable to optimize existing configurations, polishing and sealing stainless better than we did in the past, or using titanium or bronze, etc.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss