New fatigue model could lead to more durable, efficient ships

R&D – Heikki Remes at the Aalto University School of Engineering, Department of Applied Mechanics, has developed a model making it possible to determine how fatigue sets in with various welded steel materials. The model allows for the development of lighter structures, and as a consequence, more energy-efficient ships.

At present the fatigue measurements used by classification societies are based on the average quality of the weld. The same design guideline is used both with traditional and more advanced structures. With the models that have been developed, it is possible to consider the difference between traditional and advanced structural joints and the impact on fatigue resistance. more> http://tinyurl.com/b4a58ub

And the World’s Most Educated Country Is…

By Samantha Grossman – Despite the ongoing financial woes across the globe, though, many think that college is still worth the investment. A new study shows that we’ve continued to flock to institutions of higher learning, enrolling at record rates over the past few years.

The top 10 most-educated countries are:

1.  Canada
2. Israel
3. Japan
4. United States
5. New Zealand
6. South Korea
7. United Kingdom
8. Finland
9. Australia
10. Ireland

more> http://tinyurl.com/8vhe2ys

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Finland’s tough stance still shaping responses to euro-zone debt crisis

By Michael Stothard – The surge in anti-European sentiment before the election in Finland last year may have quieted down, but promises to limit the country’s exposure to weaker economies are continuing to have a big impact on how the euro zone tackles its sovereign debt crisis.

The government broke with mainstream European opinion again recently, proposing that Spain and Italy should start issuing covered bonds backed by state assets. “This is what Finland did in a difficult economic situation in the 1990s, and it is standard practice for banks today,” said Jyrki Katainen, the center-right prime minister. more> http://tinyurl.com/7c9wyjh

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German 2-Year Yield Drops Below Zero as Crisis Deepens

English: Headquearters of Bankia in Valencia
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By David Goodman and Keith Jenkins – The 10-year borrowing costs of Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany and the Netherlands dropped to records as euro- area unemployment rose to a record and Italy missed its target at a sale of bonds, driving investors to the region’s safer government securities. Spanish bonds dropped for a fourth week, pushing the 10-year yield above 6.5 percent after nationalized lender Bankia group said it will seek 19 billion euros ($23.5 billion) of state support.

“We’ve seen German two-year yields turn negative in a classic flight to safety,” said Peter Chatwell, a fixed-income strategist at Credit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank in London. more> http://tinyurl.com/7we254e

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Today in Euromess: Time for a eurobond?

By Brad Plumer – Take a peek at the debt-to-GDP ratios of various euro zone countries and you’ll notice a wide disparity. Greece’s debt is a whopping 144.9 percent of its economy. Italy’s is 118.4 percent. Seems unsustainable. But looking further down the list, a country like Finland’s debt sits at just 48.3 percent of GDP. In fact, if you look at the euro zone as a whole, the continent’s debt is a manageable 85 percent of GDP, less than that of the United States.

That’s partly why some economists have argued that if all of the euro zone countries simply banded together and issued one common euro bond, they could placate nervous investors. more> http://is.gd/iTJn7X

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