Section 4 Double and single bottom structure
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Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships, July 2022 - Part 3 Ship Structures (General) - Chapter 7 Machinery Spaces - Section 4 Double and single bottom structure

Section 4 Double and single bottom structure

4.1 Double bottom structure

4.1.1 The minimum depth of the centre girder and its thickness are to be at least the same as required in way of cargo space amidships, see Pt 4, Ch 1, 8 Double bottom structure. A greater depth is recommended in way of large engine-rooms when the variation in draught between light and load conditions is considerable. For passenger ships, see Pt 4, Ch 2, 6 Double bottom.

4.1.2 In machinery spaces situated adjacent to the after peak, the double bottom is to be transversely framed. Elsewhere transverse or longitudinal framing may be adopted, but see also Pt 4, Ch 1, 8 Double bottom structure.

4.1.3 Where the double bottom is transversely framed, plate floors are to be fitted at every frame in the engine-room. In way of boilers, plate floors are to be fitted under the boiler bearers, and elsewhere as required by Pt 4, Ch 1, 8 Double bottom structure.

4.1.4 Where the double bottom is longitudinally framed, plate floors are to be fitted at every frame under the main engines and thrust bearing. Outboard of the engine seating, floors may be fitted at alternate frames, see Figure 7.4.1 Engine-room with longitudinal framing.

Figure 7.4.1 Engine-room with longitudinal framing

4.1.5 The scantlings of floors clear of the main engine seatings, are generally to be as required in way of cargo spaces, see Pt 4, Ch 1, 8 Double bottom structure. In way of engine seatings, the floors are to be increased in thickness, see Pt 3, Ch 7, 6.2 Seats for engines 6.2.1.

4.1.6 Sufficient fore and aft girders are to be arranged in way of the main machinery to effectively distribute its weight and to ensure adequate rigidity of the structure. In midship machinery spaces these girders are to extend for the full length of the space and are to be carried aft to support the foremost shaft tunnel bearing. This extension beyond the after bulkhead of the engine-room is to be for at least three transverse frame spaces, aft of which the girders are to scarf into the structure. Forward of the engine-room bulkhead, the girders are to be tapered off over three frame spaces and effectively scarfed into the structure. In machinery spaces situated at the aft end the girders are to be carried as far aft as practicable and the ends effectively supported by web frames or transverses. For recommended scantlings of engine girders, see Pt 3, Ch 7, 6.2 Seats for engines 6.2.1.

4.1.7 Outboard of the engines, side girders are to be arranged, where practicable, to line up with the side girders in adjacent cargo spaces. These are to have scantlings as required by Pt 4, Ch 1, 8 Double bottom structure.

4.1.8 Where the double bottom is longitudinally framed and transverse floors are fitted in way of the engine seatings as required by Pt 3, Ch 7, 4.1 Double bottom structure 4.1.4, no additional longitudinal stiffening is required in way of the engines other than the main engine girders, provided that the spacing of girders does not exceed 1,5 times the normal spacing of longitudinals. Where this spacing of girders is exceeded, shell longitudinals are to be fitted. These are to scarf into the longitudinal framing clear of the machinery spaces. The scantlings of the longitudinals are to be determined as required by Pt 4, Ch 1, 6 Shell envelope framing using a minimum span of 1,3 m, see Figure 7.4.1 Engine-room with longitudinal framing.

4.1.9 The thickness, t, of inner bottom plating in engine-rooms, clear of the engine seatings, is to be not less than:

and not less than 7,0 mm (symbols as defined in Table 7.3.1 Primary structure in machinery spaces). This thickness will be required to be increased in way of engine seatings integral with the tank top, see Pt 3, Ch 7, 6.2 Seats for engines 6.2.1.

4.1.10 Where the height of inner bottom in the machinery spaces differs from that in adjacent spaces, continuity of longitudinal material is to be maintained by sloping the inner bottom over an adequate longitudinal extent. The knuckles in the plating are to be arranged close to plate floors.

4.2 Single bottom structure

4.2.1 In way of machinery spaces situated amidships the minimum depth of floors is to be at least 10 per cent greater than that required elsewhere in general cargo ships, see Pt 4, Ch 1, 7 Single bottom structure. If the top of the floors is recessed in way of the engines, the depth of the floors in way of the recess should generally be not less than that required by Pt 4, Ch 1, 7 Single bottom structure, but this will be specially considered in each case in relation to the arrangements proposed.

4.2.2 In way of machinery spaces situated aft, or where there is considerable rise of floor, the depth of the floors will be specially considered.

4.2.3 Clear of the engine seatings the thickness and face plate area of the floor webs are to be 1,0 mm and 10 per cent greater, respectively, than the requirements for general cargo ships as given in Pt 4, Ch 1, 7 Single bottom structure. The floors are not to be flanged.

4.2.4 Sufficient fore and aft girders are to be arranged in way of machinery to effectively distribute its weight and ensure adequate rigidity of the structure. In midship machinery spaces these girders are to extend for the full length of the space and are to be carried aft to support the foremost shaft tunnel bearing and forward to scarf into the structure. In machinery spaces situated at the aft end, the girders are to be carried as far aft as practicable and the ends effectively supported by web frames or transverses. For scantlings of engine girders, see Pt 3, Ch 7, 6.2 Seats for engines 6.2.1.

4.2.5 Outboard of the engines, side girders are to be arranged having scantlings as required by Pt 4, Ch 1, 7 Single bottom structure and these are to be scarfed into the side girders in adjacent spaces.


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