Section 13 - Stem and Sternframe Structures C 13 - 1

Section 13
Stem and Sternframe Structures
A. Definitions
R
eH
= minimum nominal upper yield point in [N/mm
2
]
according to Section 2, B.2.
k = material factor according to Section 2, B.2.1,
for cast steel see Section 14, A.4.2
C
R
= rudder force in [N] according to Section 14,
B. 1.
B
1
= support force in [N] according to Section 14,
C.3.
t
K
= corrosion allowance in [mm] according to
Section 3, K.
a
B
= spacing of fore-hooks [m]
B. Stem
1. Bar stem
1.1 The cross sectional area of a bar stem below the
load waterline is not to be less than:
A
b
= 1,25 L [cm
2
].
1.2 Starting from the load waterline, the sectional area
of the bar stem may be reduced towards the upper end to
0,75 A
b
.
2. Plate stem and bulbous bows
2.1 The thickness of welded plate stems is not to be less
than:
t = (0,6 + 0,4 a
B
) (0,08 L + 6) [mm] k
t
max
= 25 [mm] k
The plate thickness must not be less than the required
thickness according to Section 6.
The extension of the stem plate from its trailing edge
aftwards must not be smaller than:
= 70 [mm] L
Dimensioning of the stiffening has to be done according
to Section 9.
2.2 Starting from 600 mm above the load waterline up
to T + c
o
, the thickness may gradually be reduced to 0,8t.
2.3 Plate stems and bulbous bows must be stiffened by
fore-hooks and/or cant frames.
C. Sternframe
1. General
1.1 Propeller post and rudder post are to be led into the
hull in their upper parts and connected to it in a suitable
and efficient manner. In way of the rudder post the shell
is to be strengthened according to Section 6, F. Due regard
is to be paid to the design of the aft body, rudder and
propeller well in order to minimize the forces excited by
the propeller.
1.2 The following value is recommended for the
propeller clearance d
0,9
related to 0,9 R (see Fig 13.1)
d
0,9
0,004 n d
3
p
v
0
[1- sin(0,75)] 0,5
z
B
x
F
D
[m]
R = propeller radius in [m]
v
0
= ship's speed, see Section 1, H.5. in [knot]
n = number of propeller revolutions per minute
D = maximum displacement of ship in [ton]
d
p
= propeller diameter in [m]
= skew angle of the propeller in [ ], see Fig. 13.2
z
B
= height of wheelhouse deck above weather deck
in [m]
x
F
= distance of deckhouse front bulkhead from aft
edge of stern in [m], see Fig. 13.1.
Fig. 13.1Propeller clearance d
0,9
Section 13 - Stem and Sternframe Structures C 13 - 2
Fig. 13.2 Skew angle
1.3 For single screw ships, the lower part of the stern
frame is to be extended forward by at least 3 times the frame
spacing from fore edge of the boss, for all other ships by
2 times the frame spacing from after edge of the stern frame
(rudder post).
1.4 The stern tube is to be surrounded by the floor plates
or, when the ship's shape is too narrow to be stiffened by
internal rings. Where no sole piece is fitted, the internal
rings may be dispensed with.
1.5 The plate thickness of sterns of welded construction
for twin screw vessels shall not be less than:
t = (0,07 L + 5,0) [mm] k
t
max
= 22 [mm] k
2. Propeller post
2.1 The scantlings of rectangular, solid propeller posts
are to be determined according to the following formulae:
= 1,4 L + 90 [mm]
b = 1,6 L + 15 [mm]
Where other sections than rectangular ones are used, their
section modulus is not to be less than that resulting from
and b.
2.2 The scantlings of propeller posts of welded
construction are to be determined according to the following
formulae:
= 50 [mm] L
b = 36 [mm] L
t = 2,4 [mm] L k
2.3 Where the cross sectional configuration is deviating
from Fig. 13.3 and for cast steel propeller posts the section
modulus of the cross section related to the longitudinal axis
is not to be less than:
W
x
= 1,2 L
1,5
k [cm
3
].
Fig. 13.3 Propeller post
Note
With single-screw ships having in the propeller region above
the propeller flaring frames of more than = 75 the
thickness of the shell should not be less than the thickness
of the propeller stem. For 75 the thickness may be
0,8 t. In no case the thickness must be less than the thickness
of the side shell according to Section 6.
This recommendation applies for that part of the shell which
is bounded by an assumed sphere the centre of which is
located at the top of a propeller blade in the twelve oclock
position and the radius of which is 0,75 propeller diameter.
Sufficient stiffening should be arranged, e.g. by floors at
each frame and by longitudinal girders.
2.4 The wall thickness of the boss in the propeller post
in its finished condition is to be at least 60 per cent of the
breadth b of the propeller post according to 2.1.
2.5 The wall thickness of the boss in propeller posts
of welded construction according to 2.2 must not be less
than 0,9 the wall thickness of the boss according to D.2.
The outer diameter of the sternframe boss, however, must
not be less than the outer diameter of the propeller boss
at its forward edge.
3. Rudder post and rudder axle
3.1 The section modulus of the rudder post related to
the longitudinal axis of the ship is not to be less than:
W
x
= C
R
k 10
-3
[cm
3
]
= unsupported span of the rudder post in [m].
Strength calculations for the rudder post, taking into account
the flexibility of the sole piece, may be required where due
to its low rigidity in y-direction the sole piece cannot be
regarded as an efficient support for the rudder post and,
therefore, additional bending stresses may arise at the upper
point of constraint. The bending stress
b
is not to exceed
85 N/mm
2
.
3.2 The diameter of a rudder axle of a balanced rudder
is not to be less than:
d = 4,2 [mm]
3
C
R
b ( b) k
= length of rudder axle in [m], see Fig. 13.4
b = [m]
b
1
b
2
2
b
l
, b
2
see Fig. 13.4.
Section 13 - Stem and Sternframe Structures C 13 - 3
Fig. 13.4 Stationary rudder axle
Regarding strength calculations for the rudder axle,
respective remarks under 3.1 are to be observed.
4. Sole piece
4.1 The section modulus of the sole piece related to the
z-axis is not to be less than:
W
z
= [cm
3
]
B
1
x k
80
For rudders with two supports the support force B
1
is
approximately equal to C
R
/2, when the elasticity of the sole
piece is ignored.
x = distance of the respective cross section from
the rudder axis in [m]
x
min
= 0,5
50
x
max
=
50
50
= see Fig. 13.5 and Section 14, C.3.2.
Fig. 13.5 Length
50
of a sole piece
4.2 The section modulus W
z
may be reduced by 15
per cent where a rudder post according to 3.1 is fitted.
4.3 The section modulus related to the y-axis is not to
be less than:
- where no rudder post or rudder axle is fitted:
W
y
=
W
z
2
- where a rudder post or rudder axle is fitted:
W
y
=
W
z
3
4.4 The sectional area at the location x =
50
is not to
be less than:
A
s
= [mm
2
].
B
1
48
k
4.5 The equivalent stress taking into account bending
and shear stresses at any location within the length
50
is
not to exceed:

v
= = [N/mm
2
]
2
b
3
2
115
k

b
= [N/mm
2
]
B
1
x
W
z
= [N/mm
2
]
B
1
A
s
5. Rudder horn of semi spade rudders
5.1 The distribution of the bending moment, shear. force
and torsional moment is to be determined according to the
following formulae:
bending moment: M
b
= B
l
. z [Nm]
M
bmax
= B
l
. d [Nm]
shear force: Q = B
l
[N]
torsional moment: M
T
= B
l
. e
(z)
[Nm].
For determining preliminary scantlings the flexibility of
the rudder horn may be ignored and the supporting force
B
l
be calculated according to the following formula:
B
l
= C
R
[N]
b
c
b, c, d, e
(z)
and z see Fig. 13.6 and 13.7
b distance of neck bearing from the centre of gravity of
the rudder area.
Fig. 13.6 Arrangement of bearings of a semi
spade rudder
Section 13 - Stem and Sternframe Structures D 13 - 4
Fig. 13.7 Loads on the rudder horn
5.2 The section modulus of the rudder horn in transverse
direction related to the horizontal x-axis is at any location
z not to be less than:
W
x
= [cm
3
]
M
b
k
67
5.3 At no cross section of the rudder horn the shear stress
due to the shear force Q is to exceed the value:
= [N/mm
2
]
48
k
The shear stress is to be determined by the following
formula:
= [N/mm
2
]
B
1
A
h
A
h
= effective shear area of the rudder horn in
y-direction in [mm
2
].
5.4 The equivalent stress at any location (z) of the rudder
horn shall not exceed the following value:

v
= [N/mm
2
]
b
2
3 (
2

T
2
)
120
k

b
= [N/mm
2
]
M
b
W
x

T
= [N/mm
2
]
M
T
10
3
2 A
T
t
h
A
T
= sectional area in [mm
2
] enclosed by the rudder
horn at the location examined
t
h
= thickness of the rudder horn plating in mm.
5.5 When determining the thickness of the rudder horn
plating the provisions of 5.2 - 5.4 are to be complied with.
The thickness is, however, not to be less than:
t
min
= 2,4 [mm] L k
5.6 The rudder horn plating is to be effectively connected
to the aft ship structure, e.g. by connecting the plating to
longitudinal girders, in order to achieve a proper
transmission of forces, see Fig. 13.8.
Fig. 13.8 Rudder horn integration into the
aft ship structure
5.7 Transverse webs of the rudder horn are to be led
into the hull up to the next deck in a sufficient number and
must be of adequate thickness.
5.8 Strengthened plate floors are to be fitted in line with
the transverse webs in order to achieve a sufficient
connection with the hull. The thickness of these plate floors
is to be increased by 50 per cent above the Rule values as
required by Section 8.
5.9 The centre line bulkhead (wash-plate) in the afterpeak
is to be connected to the rudder horn.
5.10 Where the transition between rudder horn and shell
is curved, about 50 % of the required total section modulus
of the rudder horn is to be formed by the webs in a Section
A - A located in the centre of the transition zone, i.e. 0,7r
above the beginning of the transition zone. See Fig. 13.9
Fig 13.9 Transition between rudder horn and shell
D. Propeller Brackets
1. The strut axes should intersect in the axis of the
propeller shaft as far as practicable. The struts are to be
extended through the shell plating and are to be attached
in an efficient manner to the frames and plate floors
Section 13 - Stem and Sternframe Structures E 13 - 5
respectively. The construction in way of the shell is to be
carried out with special care. In case of welded connection,
the struts are to have a weld flange or a thickened part or
are to be connected with the shell plating in another suitable
manner. For- strengthening of the shell in way of struts
and shaft bossings, see Section 6, F. The requirements of
Section 19, B.4.3 are to be observed.
2. The scantlings of solid struts are to be determined
as outlined below depending on shaft diameter d:
thickness : 0,44 d
cross-sectional area
in propeller bracket : 0,44 d
2
length of boss : see Rules for Machinery
Installations, Volume III,
Section 4, D.5.2.
wall thickness of boss : 0,25 d.
3. Propeller brackets of welded construction and shaft
bossings are to have the same strength as solid ones
according to 2.
4. For propeller brackets consisting of one strut only
a strength analysis according to E.1.2 and a vibration
analysis according to E.2. are to be carried out. Due
consideration is to be given to fatigue strength aspects.
E. Elastic Stern Tube
1. Strength analysis
When determining the scantlings of the projecting stern
tube in way of the connection with the hull, the following
stresses are to be proved:
1.1 Static load:
Bending stresses caused by static weight loads are not to
exceed 0,35 R
eH
.
1.2 Dynamic load:
The pulsating load due to loss of one propeller blade is to
be determined assuming that the propeller revolutions are
equal to 0,75 times the rated speed. The following
permissible stresses are to be observed:

perm
= 0,40 R
eH
for R
eH
= 235 N/mm
2
= 0,35 R
eH
for R
eH
= 355 N/mm
2
.
The aforementioned permissible stresses are approximate
values. Deviations may be permitted in special cases taking
into account fatigue strength aspects.
2. Vibration analysis
The bending natural frequency at rated speed of the system
comprising stern tube, propeller shaft and propeller is not
to be less than 1,5 times the rated propeller revolutions.
However, it is not to exceed 0,66 times the exciting
frequency of the propeller (number of propeller blades x
rated propeller revolutions) and is not to coincide with
service conditions, including the damage condition (loss
of one propeller blade).