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What is Naval Architecture? Many folks will not have a
slightest idea.
It's a field of study that involves Physics, Mechanics,
Engineering and Legislation.
Architecture involves design of buildings.
Naval Architecture is slightly different. Many considerations
need to be made when we construct a ship that can travel through
stormy seas, maintain the stability with constantly changing
cargo loading patterns, determine speeds and resistances when
moving through the water - in short a moving and functional
building structure, floating on the oceans.
Building a ship involves many aspects of engineering - just like
building a skyscraper on land. Modern ships are built of steel.
However, there are also many smaller boats made of fiberglass,
ferro-cement, wood and other laminations.
Building for strength is a must. However, in order for a ship to
float, the shell of the ship's hull must be relatively thin. The
strength is obtained from frames and stiffeners, just like the
skeleton in our bodies.
Then, there are also the stability considerations. It must not
be so easily toppled over. It must also be designed for various
situations of loading. Special considerations need to be made
for liquid cargo or fuel oil that could lead to instability due
to a phenomenon called free surface effect.
Trimming a ship involves making it as horizontal as possible
when considering the front (fore) and the back (aft) of the
ship. Water ballast can be used to adjust the trim. These will
have to be considered in the design.
In an accidental flooding of any of the tanks, for example, when
a ship is involved in a collision, it must have some means to
maintain the floatation without sinking.
The amount of power to be applied for the propulsion of the
ship,the amount of speed and resistances it will encounter will
have to be considered when designing a ship.
The size of the rudder and how the ship will behave during
turning is also considered in the study of Naval Architecture.
Does it sound like an interesting study to you? This is just a
very brief introduction. Competent Marine Engineers have to
study the subject of Naval Architecture in order to qualify for
their licenses.
Well folks, you can download your own free e-book at: Naval Architecture
Questions & Answers or you can find out more about Marine
Engineering at Marine
Engineer World
About the author:
Many years of working experience in Marine, Facilities,
Construction has given the author material for writing e-books
and articles related to engineering, and management. Subscribe to
facworld ezine More information at Marine and M & E
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