Really now... This SHOULD not have happened. When I was in the Coast Guard back in the 1970’s the 378Ft Secretary class ships were of this style construction and they had the same stress crack problems. It was easily fixed with an expansion joint in the superstructure that allowed the superstructure to flex with the hull.
Bi-metal construction often has this sort of problem especially where there are wide temperature extremes from the Water to the Air temperatures.
Somebody really fell down on the job with this design. Then again maybe they were more concerned about the quarters for a mixed crew?
“Bi-metal construction often has this sort of problem especially where there are wide temperature extremes from the Water to the Air temperatures.”
Also, that in a salt water environment, you get electrolysis that degards the metals. Navy learned that years ago. Why would they still try it today?
Yes, it should not be a surprise.
Trouble is....
http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/03/16/navy-aluminum-idUSN1513314120100316
There’s just no way around the actual material properties here. Aluminum has a higher thermal coefficient of expansion than steel, work hardens much faster than steel, fails under work hardening conditions without much warning, and will melt at rather low temperatures compared with steel.
It isn’t a good material for a combat ship. A fishing skiff? Maybe. A combat ship? No.
But I NB that the crew has fold-down tables that will allow them to use a laptop. Whoopie.