Re:Cargo ships that sink when their cargo suddenly liquefies
by Steltek on Friday August 31, 2018 @09:22AM
(#17885326)
What about an inflatable airbag that rests on top of the cargo? That could keep the cargo from shifting and would be very quick to setup at the end of loading the ship, as there would be no messing with plates or tie downs.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:Cargo ships that sink when their cargo suddenly liquefies
by LeonM on Friday August 31, 2018 @10:39AM
(#17885938)
That airbag would still allow the cargo underneath to shift. It's the same a the current situation (air), but with a bag around it ;-)
I guess you need something solid, and fixed to the boat, so there is nowhere for the material to go.
Re:Cargo ships that sink when their cargo suddenly liquefies
by logfromblammo on Friday August 31, 2018 @02:38PM
(#17887835)
Friction is not the same between a canvas layer and an air layer.
As an experiment, fill a bowl with sand. Level the sand with a scree bar. Tilt it until you notice sand shifting, and note the angle of tilt.
Now level the bowl and put an inflatable bag on top. Tilt until you notice sand shifting and note the angle.
Further experiment: put a vacuum hose through the center of the bag, and suck air out of the bowl as the bag covers the top. Tilt again. If your bag can make a decent seal against the rim of the bowl, and you keep that vacuum pump running, you can almost flip the thing without shifting any sand.