Building and Welding Ships

You can read a midship section, but could you build one?

This guide walks you through a steel hull from raw plate to sea trials. You will learn how class rules set scantlings, how plate is nested, cut and formed, and how to choose between stick, flux-cored, MIG and submerged arc welding for each joint in the yard. You will set preheat and heat input, qualify a procedure and a welder, control distortion with sequencing and flame straightening, and judge welds by ultrasonic and radiographic results.

Structural chapters take you through double bottoms, framing, bulkheads, stern frames and superstructure, then coatings, cathodic protection, launching and trials. Closing chapters cover work breakdown, scheduling and man-hour control. Written for naval architecture students, welding inspectors, hull trades supervisors and shipyard project engineers.

What you will learn:

• Interpret class rules and statutory requirements to determine scantlings and gain drawing approval
• Prepare, mark, cut and form steel plate efficiently in a shipyard production environment
• Select and apply arc welding processes—stick, flux-cored, MIG and submerged arc—for specific hull joints
• Qualify welding procedures and welders, and set preheat and heat input parameters
• Control distortion and residual stress using sequencing and flame straightening techniques
• Evaluate weld quality through ultrasonic and radiographic non-destructive examination
• Construct bottom structure, sides, frames, decks, bulkheads, bow, stern and appendages
• Install superstructure, outfit machinery, and apply corrosion protection and coatings
• Manage shipbuilding projects from work breakdown and scheduling to man-hour control and sea trials

Whether you are a naval architecture student, a welding inspector, a hull trades supervisor, or a shipyard project engineer, this book provides the practical knowledge to build and weld ships from the ground up.