5003 Lectures - Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science

E5003 - Ship Structures I 13
© C.G. Daley
Topic 2: Ship Structural Features
lifeboat on the Battleship Texas
Introduction
In this Chapter we will
Name and describe ships structural components.
Discuss some structural features and challenges for various vessels,
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Boats are made from a variety of materials, including wood, fiberglass,
composites, aluminum, steel and cement. Ships are built mainly from steel. In this
Chapter we will name and discuss the main structural features of steel ships. Ships
are much longer than they are wide or deep. They are built this way in order to
minimize resistance (fuel consumption), and yet maintain adequate stability and
seaworthiness. This geometry results in the ship being a girder (a beam built from
compound parts). The figures below show sketches of the structural details of the
midship section of a bulk carrier.