Hose elements for buoy moorings : design, fabrication and mechanical properties

Abstract

This report describes the design of tire cord reinforced rubber hoses, which have found an application as mooring hoses for oceanographic and offshore aquaculture buoy systems. These hoses stand out due to their ruggedness and ability to significantly stretch under load. The ruggedness is achieved through a steam curing = vulcanization process of the completed hose, generating a similar toughness of the hoses like automobile tires. Elastic stretch ranges can be designed from 30 to 130 percent through variation of the arrangement of the load carrying tire cord layers in the hose body. The hoses can also be furnished with electrical conductors and possibly optical light-guides as part of the hose wall. This technical report describes the design, fabrication, and mechanical properties of the mooring hoses to allow engineers to custom develop hoses with tailored mechanical properties.