STRUCTURAL PARTS OF THE SHIP’S

HULL

Course no. 6
 STRUCTURAL PARTS OF THE SHIP’S HULL

The hull is the main body of the ship below the main deck. The
hull consists of:
- outside covering (or shell plating), and
- inside framework to which the skin is secured.

The skin and the framework are usually made of steel and jointed
by welding.
 Inside Framework

The inside framework includes all the longitudinal and transversal

elements that form the strength structure of the ship.

Reported to the main plans of reference, the inside framework is

divided into:
- longitudinal inside framework, and
- cross framework.
 Longitudinal inside framework

The main structural components of the longitudinal inside

framework are:

• 1. the keel (with stem and stern),

• 2. center keelson,
• 3. side keelson,
• 4. deck stringers, and
• 5. side stringers.

A-Upper deck,B-Tweendeck, C-Second deck, D-Hold, E-Tank top,

E-Double bottom
Inside framework
 Longitudinal inside framework

1. The keel is the main centerline structural part of the hull,

which runs from the stem at the bow to the sternpost at
the stern. The keel is the backbone of the ship.

The stem is the piece of resistance of the forward extremity,

in fact extending the keel to the main deck joint on the
forecastle.
The sternpost is the piece of resistance from the extreme
stern, being keel extended on the main deck on the poop
deck.
Different forms of the Keels
 Longitudinal inside framework

2. Keel frame or center keelson is the replica of the keel

throughout its length in order to strengthen the resistance
of the bottom.

3. Side keelsons are resistance elements parallel to the

center keelson and are arranged symmetrically on the
bottom of the vessel to its axis.
 Longitudinal inside framework

4. Side stringers are longitudinal reinforcement elements arranged

along the borders.
The stringer connecting the upper ends of the transverse frames and
is at a higher rate than the deck is called murad.
 Longitudinal inside framework

5. Deck stringer (girder), as elements of the longitudinal

inside framework, support and strengthen the decks
resistance, cross the deck beam to each other forming a
network of resistance of the deck.
 Transverse inside framework
The transverse framework is composed of cross-resistance
elements arranged parallel to the amidships. The most important
parts of the transverse framework are the frames, the floors and
the deck beams.
 Transverse inside framework
6. The frames are elements of cross-resistance fastened to the keel at
equal intervals, called inter-frames spacing. These are the ribs of
the ship and give the shape and strength to the hull. Two frames
contained in the same transverse plan in one board and another
form a couple.

7. The floors are cross-resistance elements which combine the lower

ends of the frames and give greater strength of the bottom.
 Transverse inside framework

8. The deck beams as higher resistance elements jointing the

upper ends of the frames forming a couple. The deck girders
together with the deck beams are the resistance network that
supports the bridge. The deck beam lines existing in a ship
are equal to the number of decks
 Outside covering (or shell plating)

The outside covering, or shell plating consists of the outer plating and the
deck plating and these provide water-tightness.

The plates are put on from the keel toward the bilge and from the bilge
toward the upper area. The plates, put on in rows from bow to stern, are
called strakes. They are lettered consecutively, beginning from the keel
and going upward.
 Outer plating (1)
The outer plating consists of the plating of the inferior and lateral parts of the
body, starting from the keel to starboard and port side, continuing up to the
upper end of the frames, the deck joint.

1. The bottom row of strakes on either side of the keel, are called garboard
strakes.

2. The strakes at the turn of the hull, running

in the bilge, are the bilge strakes. This curved
section where the bottom meets the side is
called the chine.

3. The strakes running between the garboard

and bilge strakes are called bottom strakes.
 Outer plating (2)

4. The strakes running on the vertical side of the hull are the side strakes.
5. The topmost strakes of the hull of the ship are sheer strakes.
6. The upper edge of the sheer strakes is the bulwark.
1. Sheer strake
forecastle deck;
2. Sheer strake
tween deck;
3. Sheer strake
main deck;
4. Helicopter
platform;
5. Escape route
to or from the
helicopter
platform;
6. Accomodation.
Stern including A-frame and bulwark
 BILGE KEEL

On the outside of the plate is mounted a steel strip which is

designed to reduce rolling and increase its amplitude
period.

These pieces of steel are called bilge keel, being arranged in

the longitudinal plane of the vessel about a third of its
length.
 Deck plating

This fully covers the hull from bow to stern and ensures
watertight vessel.
The deck is typically composed of plating of steel called deck
plating.

The plating that connects the main deck and outer plating is
called waterway and is thicker than the other deck plating.
 20.Wing
ballast
22.Cargo 3.Transverse tank
4.Longitudinaltank 2.Longitudinal
15.Stringer Bulkhead
Bulkhead Bulkhead
Deck
11.Bulkhead 1. Shell
stiffener

13.Tie beam

19.Web
14.Stringer
frame

16.Watertight
floor 8.Side
longitudinal

5. Lower
17.Full floor hopper
6.Tanktop
10.Inner 7.Bottom
9.Bottom 18.Watertight
bottom
frame side keelson
 2.Longitudinal Bulkhead

22.Cargo 3.Transverse Bulkhead

20.Wing ballast tank
tank
4.Longitudinal Bulkhead

14.Stringer 11.Bulkhead stiffener

14.Stringer

21.Double
16.Watertight floor bottom
17.Full floor 18.Watertight 12.Stiffener
side keelson with brackets
 Cross section of a typical bulker

Upper hopper tank for water ballast or oil

Hatch cover

Cargo hold
Lower hopper tank, for water ballast
Double bottom