Sequence in welded ship design and construction.

Abstract

The problem in design and construction of ships are somewhat different from the problems confronting the designers of land structures such as bridges and buildings. Water-tightness, smallest possible deadweight tonnage consistent with the required dimensions, and extreme conditions of stress encountered in hogging and sagging in heavy seaways, are the outstanding special problems. Since the introduction of mild steel, in lieu of wrought iron, as the principle material in ship construction, the scantlings (sizes of plates and frames in ship building) have been reduced and the designs simplified, in general. Riveted construction had progressed to the limit where further simplification and reduction in scantlings would impair the seaworthiness of the vessel. The advent of welding, as the method of fabrication, changed the whole picture and opened up many possibilities for economies in construction as well as being the means of approaching the ideal joint.