Bulb flat steel is a special cross-section steel with a spherical head and a flat plate. Bulb flat steel has a wide range of important applications in ship hull structures.
1. As a keel:The keel is one of the main supporting structures of the hull. Bulb flat steel, due to its high bending strength and excellent stability, is used to construct the keel, bearing the longitudinal loads of the ship and ensuring the structural strength and stability of the hull in the longitudinal direction.
2. As a hull rib:Ribs are the transverse supporting structures of the hull. Bulb flat steel is often used as a hull rib, similar to the "ribs" of a person. Their main function is to support the hull shell, resisting water pressure and external impact forces, preventing deformation of the hull shell, and also helping to maintain the hull's transverse shape and structural integrity.
3. Bulkhead Support:Bulkheads divide the ship's hull into different compartments. Bulb flats serve as bulkhead support, enhancing their strength and stability. They are able to withstand the pressure of cargo within the compartments and the pressure differential between compartments, ensuring that the bulkheads do not deform or become damaged during navigation and loading and unloading.
4. Bottom Longitudinal Frames:Bottom longitudinal frames are structural members running longitudinally along the bottom of the ship. Bulb flats serve as bottom longitudinal frames, bearing longitudinal loads such as cargo pressure and buoyancy differences generated during navigation. They transfer these loads to other hull structures, improving the bottom's load-bearing capacity and deformation resistance.
5. Deck reinforcement:The deck is the upper surface structure of a ship, bearing the weight of cargo, equipment, and the movement of personnel. Bulb flats can be welded beneath the deck to serve as deck reinforcement, increasing its strength and rigidity and preventing deformation or denting under load.
