Proposed PVC Caravan Awning Channel
October 7th, 1987
Prosyma Research Ltd report to Schlegel (UK) Ltd.
S F Bush
Conclusions
- The concept of making a caravan awning channel in a combination of PVC compositions seems feasible if two modifications to design EXP 1467 are made. These are indicated.
- Fixing screw intervals might be prudently set at 70 mm on the straight runs and 50 mm on bends.
- The tensile modulus of the prescribed semi-rigid (Shore A97) has been taken to be at least 15 MN/m2. A higher value, say 20 MN/m2 might be worthwhile. In particular a 12 hour creep test at the expected maximum working temperature of 40 oC would be a prudent precaution since this aspect of material behaviour can only be estimated in the crudest way.
- These conclusions rest necessarily on simplified calculations and estimation of key material property data. Five possible failure mechanisms have been investigated in this way, on the basis of a maximum short term load of 1000 Newtons per metre of channel short term load, a long term load in the region of 200 Newtons per metre.