Sandwich plate system

Sandwich Plate System (SPS) is a structural composite material composed of steel and polyurethane elastomer.

SPS is used in engineered structures including ships, buildings and bridges and was invented by Dr Stephen Kennedy following his primary research in the field of ice strengthened structures at Carleton University in Ottawa and first patented in 1996.

The first recorded project involving SPS was carried out on the P&O Pride of Cherbourg, a Lloyd’s Register approved vessel, in 1999.

Projects

Some recent buildings and bridges incorporating SPS include:

• LG Arena, at the National Exhibition Centre(NEC) Birmingham, UK
• M6 Footbridges, UK
• The O2, Dublin (formerly The Point)
• Ascot Racecourse, UK

And some recent vessels incorporating SPS include:

• MV Golden Bell, Bulk Carrier
• MV Star Ypsilon, Bulk Carrier
• MV Silver Bell, Bulk Carrier
• MV Docebay, Bulk Carrier
• MV Hansaland, RoRo
• MV Tor Belgia, RoRo
• MV Edco Star, Bulk Carrier

References

• "Lloyd's Register "Provisional Rules for the application of sandwich panel construction to ship structure"". http://www.webstore.lr.org/e/catalogItemDetails.asp?Z=79846&CatID=15&CatTypeID=&CatItemID=337. Retrieved 2008-08-01. 
• Lloyd' Register's "Provisional Rules For the Application Of Sandwich Panel Construction To Ship Structure 2006"