stringer strake is usually heavier than the other deck
ships may extend out from the hull nearly 3 feet. Bilge
strakes, and it serves as a continuous longitudinal
keels serve to reduce the extent of the ship's rolling.
stringer, providing longitudinal strength to the ship's
structure.
DECKS
STANCHIONS
Decks provide both longitudinal and transverse
strength to the ship. Deck plates, which are similar to
To reinforce the deck transverses and to keep the
the plates used in side and bottom shell plating, are
deck transverse brackets and side frames from carrying
supported by deck beams and deck longitudinales.
the total load, vertical stanchions or columns are fitted
between decks. Stanchions are constructed in various
The term uppermost strength deck is applied to the
ways of various materials. Some are made of pipe or
deck that completes the enclosure of the box girder and
rolled shapes. The stanchion shown in figure 2-18 is in
the continuity of the ship's structure. It is the highest
fairly common use; this pipe stanchion consists of a
continuous deck--usually the main or weather deck.
steel tube that is fitted with special pieces for securing
The term strength deck also applies to any continuous
it at the upper end (head) and at the lower end (heel).
deck that carries some of the longitudinal load. On
BULKHEADS
deck is the only continuous high deck, the main deck is
the strength deck. The flight deck is the uppermost
Bulkheads are the vertical partitions that, extending
strength deck on aircraft carriers (CVs and LHDs) that
carry helicopters, but the main or hangar deck is the
to the interior of the ship. Bulkheads may be either
strength deck on older types of carriers.
structural or nonstructural. Structural bulkheads, which
tie the shell plating, framing, and decks together, are
The main deck is supported by deck transverses and
capable of withstanding fluid pressure; these bulkheads
deck longitudinales. Deck transverses are the transverse
members of the framing structure. The transverse beams
tural bulkheads are lighter; they are used chiefly for
are attached to and supported by the frames at the sides,
separating activities aboard ship.
as shown in figure 2-17. Deck girders are similar to
longitudinales in the bottom structure in that they run
Bulkheads consist of plating and reinforcing beams.
fore and aft and intersect the transverse beams at right
The reinforcing beams are known as bulkhead stiffeners
angles.
(fig. 2-19). Bulkhead stiffeners are usually placed in the
The outboard strake of deck plating that connects
with the shell plating is called the stringer strake. The
Figure 2-18.--Pipe stanchion.
Figure 2-17.--Transverse beam and frame.
2-26