Hull Structure

LO 4.3: Describe and Illustrate Standard Steel Sections

Flat Keel

Flat Keel is a solid plate which is supported by frames running around the vessel. It is thicker than the adjoining plates
and must be of full uniform thickness for 3/5th length amidship. It may gradually reduce towards ends of the ship and is
most common in a majority of ocean-going vessels.

Flat plate keel may be fitted with the single bottom hull or with the double bottom hull. In single bottom hull
construction, the flat keel plate forms an ‘I’ section with a vertical longitudinal centreline plate on top of it and a
horizontal plate above the longitudinal beam. The vertical longitudinal beam is known as Keelson plate, and the vertical
plate above it is known as the Rider plate. In double bottom construction, flat plate keel forms a strong ‘I’ section with
the vertical plate commonly called the centre girder and the horizontal plate being part of the tank top.
 Offset Bulb Plate

In iron ship-building, a rolled plate or bar having on one edge an enlargement or bulb, and used in connection
with angle-bars riveted to the other edge for deck-beams, stringers, etc. Modern facilities in steel-rolling have
resulted in the general substitution of angle-bulb and T-bulb bars for these purposes.

Equal angle steel

Equal angle steel bars are characterized by excellent strength and tensile strength, and they’re known for providing top
quality workability with no warping whatsoever. You’ll notice the perfect angle evenness, and there will typically be
several colors available.

From a practical standpoint, equal angle steel bars can be widely used. They’re great for reinforcing both large and small
buildings due to their strength, and they’re often used in support frames for new construction projects. Plant and
machinery facilities commonly contain large amounts of equal angle steel. They’re used in ships, railroads and all across
the industrial industry. Most are treated with anti-rust coating, an additional benefit in many fields.
 Unequal angle steel

Unequal angle steel, on the other hand, has different side lengths that can commonly be seen with the naked eye. It can
generally be supplied in American standard, Japanese standard or Chinese standard based on sizing proportions. Length
will generally range between 6 and 12 meters.

Unequal angle steel bars can be used in a variety of applications as well. It’s common in large projects, and will
frequently be found in areas like workshops, bridges and vehicles that require uneven support in certain areas. It can
also be used for certain kinds of construction, and many smaller unequal steel angle products work as basic structural
components.