Hull:
The Armor of Ships
Technically and
economically, hulls are a paramount design consideration in shipbuilding. Hulls
determine a ship’s structural integrity, safety, and stability while contributing
about 20%
of the ship’s total cost. Remember, ships transport over 90%
of globally traded cargo through 90,000
cargo ships.
Erika Tanker Failed in 1999 due to a Weakened
Structure
With corrosion, fatigue
cracks are the main cause for failure of ships, railway tank-cars, and road
tankers. Fatigue cracks can grow in a branched or curved manner different from
the shape in which they are formed. Repairs are not always viable in view of exorbitant
maintenance expenses.