Mr Tobias Laux BEng Yacht and Powercraft Design, MSc Maritime Engineering

Postgraduate research student

Tobias Laux is a Postgraduate research student for Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Southampton.

MSc in Maritime Engineering from the University of Southampton. Master Thesis: Indentation Failure of foam cored sandwich structures subjected to elevated temperatures. PVC foam core, as used in many industrial applications, is very sensitive to elevated temperatures. Its mechanical properties are considerably reduced at temperatures over 70^o C which is well in the operational envelope of for example structures exposed to sun light. The problem was investigated experimentally (3 point-bending test, Infrared lamp, Digital Image Correlation Technique), numerically (FEA model) and analytically (Sandwich Beam Theory and Winkler Foundation model). Guidance for Designers and suggestions for further research were presented.

BEng in Yacht and Powercraft Design from Southampton Solent University. Bachelor Thesis: 40 foot Scow performance cruiser. The project investigated the feasibility of a scow type hull shape for a 40 foot performance cruiser sailing yacht. The project included a tow tank experiment, a preliminary structural design in Glass/Epoxy and a 3D CAD model of the exterior and interior general arrangement.

During and between my studies, I developed together with two fellow Naval Architects, a 43 foot preliminary open bridge deck sailing catamaran design to client’s brief and worked within the maritime industry in the UK and Switzerland.