Abstract: A method and device for constructing a auxiliary hull, exterior to the primary hull of a ship, which has the capacity to absorb impact energy preventing primary hull puncture, and can be easily retrofitted to existing ship hulls. This method and device involves the use of energy absorbing members arranged in a truss-like formation to support the auxiliary hull shell. The auxiliary hull shell can be laminated to weaken interlaminar shear strength and further increase energy absorption during impact and thus prevent auxiliary hull puncture. This method and device also allows for the void spaces created between the primary and auxiliary hull shells to be filled with material which will, distribute the impact forces to the primary hull over a wider primary hull area, serve to support the auxiliary hull shell under hydrostatic forces and provide additional buoyancy forces if the auxiliary hull shell is punctured.

Abstract: A method and device for controlling strain and deflection in a superstructure, resulting from movement/displacement of the main structure on maritime and aerospace vessels, and other structures which have significant strains and/or deflections induced by support displacements. This method involves the use of elastic devices inserted in the said superstructure and fine tuned with respect to stiffness, to an extent where the load distribution throughout the said superstructure can be controlled. The device is constructed by the use of material formed in a geometric shape which will allow yielding, to a desired amount of strain and/or deflections, in the elastic device, superstructure and main structure.