Glossary

Frame

In the maritime context, a "frame" refers to the structural components that form the rib-like support system of a ship or boat. These frames are essential for giving shape and strength to the vessel. Here’s how frames function in shipbuilding and maritime engineering:

Function and Description of Frames:

  1. Structural Support: Frames provide the primary structural skeleton of a vessel, supporting the hull and giving it shape. They run transversely across the ship, from one side to the other, and are typically made of steel or aluminum in modern ships.

  2. Shape and Stability: The curvature and spacing of frames determine the shape of the hull. This affects the hydrodynamic and stability properties of the vessel, influencing how it behaves in water.

  3. Attachment Points: Plating, such as the hull plating, is attached to the frames. The frames serve as attachment points for these structural skins and for other internal and external components.

  4. Compartmentalization: Frames can help in forming bulkheads and other compartmentalizing structures that enhance the safety of a ship by limiting the spread of water ingress in case of a hull breach.

  5. Enhancing Rigidity: By connecting the keel (at the bottom of the ship) with the deck and the sides of the hull, frames help enhance the overall rigidity and strength of the vessel.

Types of Frames:

  • Ordinary Frames: Regular frames that form the primary structure.
  • Web Frames: Thicker, stronger frames used in areas needing additional support.
  • Floor Frames: Frames that are part of the bottom structure and often support the keel.

In the design and construction of ships, the layout and specifics of the framing system are critical and are carefully planned based on the intended use of the vessel, the size of the ship, and the conditions it will face at sea. Frames are fundamental in ensuring the structural integrity and seaworthiness of maritime vessels.