Section 2 - Materials

A, B

2-1

Section 2
Materials

A.

General

All materials to be used for the structural members indicated

in the Construction Rules are to be in accordance with the
Rules for Materials, Volume V. Materials the properties
of which deviate from these Rule requirements may only
be used upon special approval.

B.

be determined by the following formula:

Note
Especially when higher strength hull structural steels are
used, limitation of permissible stresses due to buckling and
fatigue strength criteria may be required.

Hull Structural Steel for Plates and Sections

Table 2.1 Material factor k

1.

Normal strength hull structural steel

1.1
Normal strength hull structural steel is a hull structural
steel with a minimum nominal upper yield point ReH
of 235 N/mm2 and a tensile strength Rm of 400 - 520 N/mm2,
see also Section 17.A.3.
1.2
The material factor k in the formulae of the following
Sections is to be taken 1,0 for normal strength hull structural
steel.

315

0,78

355

0,72

390

0,66

2.2
Higher strength hull structural steel is grouped into
the following grades, which differ from each other in their
toughness properties:
KI-A 32/36/40

1.3
Normal strength hull structural steel is grouped into
the grades KI-A, KI-B, KI-D, KI-E, which differ from each
other in their toughness properties. For the application
of the individual grades for the hull structural members,
see 3.
1.4
If for special structures the use of steels with yield
properties less than 235 N/mm2 has been accepted, the
material factor k is to be determined by:

ReH [N/mm2]

KI-D 32/36/40
KI-E 32/36/40
KI-F 32/36/40.
In Table 2.7 the grades of the higher strength hull structural
steels are marked by the letter "H".
2.3
Where structural members are completely or partly
made from higher strength hull structural steel, a suitable
Notation will be entered into the Ship's Certificate.

2.

Higher strength hull structural steels

2.1
Higher strength hull structural steel is a hull structural
steel, the yield and tensile properties of which exceed those
of normal strength hull structural steel. According to the
Rules for Materials, Volume V, for three groups of higher
strength hull structural steels the nominal upper yield stress
ReH has been fixed at 315, 355 and 390 N/mm2 respectively.
Where higher strength hull structural steel is used, for
scantling purposes the values in Table 2.1 are to be used
for the material factor k mentioned in the various Sections.
For higher strength hull structural steel with other nominal
yield stresses up to 390 N/mm2, the material factor k may

2.4
In the drawings submitted for approval it is to be
shown which structural members are made of higher strength
hull structural steel. These drawings are to be placed on board
in case any repairs are to be carried out.
2.5
Regarding welding of higher strength hull structural
steel, see Rules for Welding, Volume VI, Section 12.

3.

Material selection for the hull

3.1

Material classes

For the material selection for hull structural members material

classes as given in Table 2.2 are defined.

2-2

Section 2 - Materials

Table 2.2

Material classes and grades for ships in general

Structural member category

Material class or grade

Secondary :
A1.
A2.
A3.

Longitudinal bulkhead strakes, other than that belonging to the Primary Class I within 0,4 L amidships
category
Grade A/AH outside 0,4 L amidships
Deck plating exposed to weather, other than that belonging to the
Primary or Special category
Side plating

Primary :
B1.

Bottom plating, including keel plate

B2.

Strength deck plating, excluding that belonging to the Special category Grade A/AH outside 0,4 L amidships

B3.

Continuous longitudinal members above strength deck, excluding

hatch coamings

B4.

Uppermost strake in longitudinal bulkhead

B5.

Vertical strake (hatch side girder) and uppermost sloped strake in

top wing tank

Class I within 0,4 L amidships

Special :
C1.

Sheer strake at strength deck 1)

Class III within 0,4 L amidships

C2.

Stringer plate in strength deck 1)

Class II outside 0,4 L amidships

C3.

Deck strake at longitudinal bulkhead excluding deck plating in way

of inner-skin bulkhead of double-hull ships 1)

C4.

Strength deck plating at outboard corners of cargo hatch openings Class III within 0,4 L amidships
in container ships and other ships with similar hatch openings
Class II outside 0,4 L amidships
configurations
Class I outside 0,6 L amidships

Class I outside 0,6 L amidships

Min. Class III within cargo region

C5.

Strength deck plating at corners of cargo hatch openings in bulk Class III within 0,6 L amidships
carriers, ore carriers, combination carriers and other ships with similar
Class II within rest of cargo region
hatch openings configurations

C6.

Bilge strake in ships with double bottom over the full breadth and Class III within 0,6 L amidships
length less than 150 m 1)
Class I outside 0,6 L amidships

C7.

Bilge strake in other ships 1)

Class III within 0,4 L amidships

Class II outside 0,4 L amidships
Class I outside 0,6 L amidships

C8.

Longitudinal hatch coamings of length greater than 0,15 L

Class III within 0,4 L amidships

C9.

End brackets and deck house transition of longitudinal cargo hatch Class II outside 0,4 L amidships
coamings
Class I outside 0,6 L amidships
Not to be less than grade D/DH

1)

Single strakes required to be of class III within 0,4 L amidships are to have breadths not less than 800 + 5 L [mm] need not be grater than 1800 mm,
unless limited by the geometry of the ship's design.

Section 2 - Materials

2-3

Table 2.3 Minimum material grades for ships with length exceeding 150 m and single strength deck
Structural member category

Material grade

Longitudinal strength members of strength deck plating

Grade B/AH within 0,4 L amidships

Continuous longitudinal strength members above strength deck

Grade B/AH within 0,4 L amidships

Single side strakes for ships without inner continuous

longitudinal bulkhead(s) between bottom and the strength deck

Grade B/AH within cargo region

Table 2.4 Minimum material grades for ships with length exceeding 250 m
Structural member category

Material grade

Shear strake at strength deck 1)

Grade E/EH within 0,4 L amidships

Stringer plate in strength deck 1)

Grade E/EH within 0,4 L amidships

Bilge strake 1)

Grade D/DH within 0,4 L amidships

1)

Single strakes required to be of Grade E/EH and within 0,4 L amidships are to have breadths not less than 800 + 5 L [mm], need not be grater
than 1800 mm, unless limited by the geometry of the ship's design.

Table 2.5 Minimum material grades for single-side skin bulk carriers subjected to SOLAS regulation XII/6.5.3
Structural member category
Lower bracket of ordinary side frame

Material grade

1), 2)

Grade D/DH

Side shell strakes included totally or partially between the two

points located to 0,125 R above and below the intersection of side
shell and bilge hopper sloping plate or inner bottom plate 2)

Grade D/DH

1)

The term "lower bracket" means webs of lower brackets and webs of the lower part of side frames up to the point of 0,125 R above the intersection
of side shell and bilge hopper sloping plate or inner bottom plate.

2)

The span of the side frame R is defined as the distance between the supporting structures.

Table 2.6 Minimum material grades for ships with ice strengthening
Structural member category

Material grade

Shell strakes in way of ice strengthening area for plates

Table 2.7

Grade B/AH

Steel grades to be used, depending on plate thickness and material class

Thickness t [mm] 1)

> 15

> 20

> 25

> 30

> 35

> 40

> 50

# 15

# 20

# 25

# 30

# 35

# 40

# 50

# 1003)

A/AH

A/AH

A/AH

A/AH

B/AH

B/AH

D/DH

D/DH2)

II

A/AH

A/AH

B/AH

D/DH

D/DH 4)

D/DH 4)

E/EH

E/EH

III

A/AH

B/AH

D/DH

D/DH 4)

E/EH

E/EH

E/EH

E/EH

Material class

1)

Actual thickness of the structural member.

2)

For thicknesses t > 60 mm E/EH.

3)

For thicknesses t > 100 mm the steel grade is to be agreed with BKI.

4)

For nominal yield stresses ReH $ 390 N/mm2 EH.

2-4

3.2

Section 2 - Materials

Material selection for longitudinal structural

members

Materials in the various strength members are not to be of

lower grades than those corresponding to the material classes
and grades specified in Table 2.2 to Table 2.7. General
requirements are given in Table 2.2, while additional
minimum requirements for ships with length exceeding
150 m and 250 m, bulk carriers subject to the requirements
of SOLAS regulation XII/6.5.3, and ships with ice
strengthening are given in Table 2.3 to Table 2.6. The
material grade requirements for hull members of each class
depending on the thickness are defined in Table 2.7.
For structural members not specifically mentioned in
Table 2.2, grade A/AH material may generally be used.
3.3

Material selection for local structural members

3.3.1 The material selection for local structural members,

which are not part of the longitudinal hull structure, may
in general be effected according to Table 2.8. For parts made
of forged steel or cast steel C. is to be applied.
Table 2.8 Material selection for local structural
members
Structural member

Material
class

hawse pipe, stern tube, pipe stanchion3)

face plates and webs of girder systems, hatch

cover

1)

rudder body 2), rudder horn, sole piece, stern

frame, propeller brackets, trunk pipe

II

II

1)

Class I material sufficient, where rolled sections are used or the

parts are machine cut from plates with condition on delivery of either
"normalized", "rolled normalized" or "rolled thermo-mechanical".

2)

See 3.3.2

3)

For pipe stanchions for cargo reefer holds Table 2.10 is applicable.

3.3.2 Rudder body plates, which are subjected to stress

concentrations (e.g. in way of lower support of semi-spade
rudders), are to be of class III material.
3.3.3 For topplates of machinery foundations located
outside 0,6 L amidships, grade A ordinary hull structural
steel may also be used for thicknesses above 40 mm.
For members not specifically mentioned normally
grade A/AH may be used. However, BKI may require also
higher grades depending on the stress level.

3.4

Material selection for structural members which

are exposed to low temperatures

3.4.1 The material selection for structural members, which

are continuously exposed to temperatures below 0 C, e.g.

in or adjacent to refrigerated cargo holds, is governed by

the design temperature of the structural members. The design
temperature is the temperature determined by means of a
temperature distribution calculation taking into account the
design environmental temperatures. The design
environmental temperatures for unrestricted service are:
air

: + 5 C

sea water

: 0 C.

3.4.2 For ships intended to operate permanently in areas

with low air temperatures (below and including - 20 C),
e.g. regular service during winter seasons to Arctic or
Antarctic waters, the materials in exposed structures are
to be selected based on the design temperature tD , to be
taken as defined in 3.4.5.
Materials in the various strength members above the lowest
ballast waterline (BWL) exposed to air are not to be of lower
grades than those corresponding to classes I, II and III, as
given in Table 2.9, depending on the categories of structural
members (Secondary, Primary and Special). For non-exposed
structures and structures below the lowest ballast waterline,
see 3.2 and 3.3.
3.4.3 The material grade requirements of each material
class depending on thickness and design temperature are
defined in Table 2.10. For design temperatures tD < - 55 C,
materials are to be specially considered.
3.4.4 Single strakes required to be of class III or of grade
E/EH or FH are to have breadths not less 800 + 5 L [mm],
maximum 1800 mm.
Plating materials for stern frames, rudder horns, rudders
and shaft brackets are not to be of lower grades than those
corresponding to the material classes given in 3.3.
3.4.5 The design temperature tD is to be taken as the lowest
mean daily average air temperature in the area of operation,
see Fig. 2.1. The following definitions apply:
Mean

Statistical mean over an observation period

of at least 20 years

Average

Average during one day and night.

Lowest

Lowest during the year.

For seasonally restricted service the lowest expected value

within the period of operation applies.

4.

Structural members which are stressed in

direction of their thickness

In case of high local stresses in the thickness direction, e.g.

due to shrinkage stresses in single bevel or double bevel
T-joints with a large volume of weld metal, steels with
guaranteed material properties in the thickness direction
according to the Rules for Materials, Volume V, Section 4, I.
are to be used.

Section 2 - Materials

C, D, E

2-5

for the construction of superstructures, deckhouses, hatchway

covers and similar parts, the conversion from steel to
aluminium scantlings is to be carried out by using the
material factor:

Rp0,2 = 0,2% proof stress of the aluminium alloy [N/mm2]

Rm

= tensile strength of the aluminium alloy [N/mm2]

For welded connections the respective values in welded

condition are to be taken. Where these figures are not
available, the respective values for the soft-annealed
condition are to be used.
Method of conversion:
section modulus: WAR
plate thickness:

= WSt @ kAR

tAR = tSt @

Fig. 2.1 Commonly used definitions of temperatures

C.

Forged Steel and Cast Steel

Forged steel and cast steel for stem, stern frame, rudder post
as well as other structural components, which are subject
of this Rule, are to comply with the Rules for Materials,
Volume V. The tensile strength of forged steel and of cast
steel is not to be less than 400 N/mm2. Forged steel and cast
steel are to be selected under consideration of B.3. In this
respect beside strength properties also toughness
requirements and weldability shall be observed.

2.
The smaller modulus of elasticity is to be taken into
account when determining the buckling strength of structural
elements subjected to compression. This is to be applied
accordingly to structural elements for which maximum
allowable deflections have to be adhered to.

3.
The conversion of the scantlings of the main hull
structural elements from steel into aluminium alloy is to
be specially considered taking into account the smaller
modulus of elasticity, as compared with steel, and the fatigue
strength aspects, specifically those of the welded connections.

E.
D.

Austenitic Steels

Aluminium Alloys

1.
Where aluminium alloys, suitable for seawater, as
specified in the Rules for Materials, Volume V, are used

Where austenitic steels are applied having a ratio

Rp0,2/Rm 0,5, after special approval the 1% proof stress
Rp1,0 may be used for scantling purposes instead of the 0,2%
proof stress Rp0,2.

2-6

Section 2 - Materials

Table 2.9 Material classes and grades for structures exposed to low temperatures
Material class
Structural member category

Within 0,4 L
amidships

Outside 0,4 L
amidships

II

III

II

Secondary:
Deck plating exposed to weather, in general
Side plating above BWL 5)
Transverse bulkheads above BWL 5)
Primary:
Strength deck plating 1)
Continuous longitudinal members above strength deck, excluding
longitudinal hatch coamings
Longitudinal bulkhead above BWL 5)
Top wing tank plating above BWL 5)
Special:
Sheer strake at strength deck 2)
Stringer plate in strength deck 2)
Deck strake at longitudinal bulkhead

3)

Continuous longitudinal hatch coamings 4)

1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

Plating at corners of large hatch openings to be specially considered. Class III or grade E/EH to be applied in positions where high local stresses
may occur.
Not to be less than grade E/EH within 0,4 L amidships in ships with length exceeding 250 metres.
In ships with breadth exceeding 70 metres at least three deck strakes to be of class III.
Not to be less than grade D/DH
BWL = ballast waterline.

Section 2 - Materials

Table 2.10

2-7

Material grade requirements for classes I, II and III at low temperatures

Class I

Plate thickness
[mm]

10

tD

tD

tD

tD

20 C to 25 C

26 C to 35 C

36 C to 45 C

46 C to 55 C

normal
strength

higher
strength

normal
strength

higher
strength

normal
strength

higher
strength

normal
strength

higher
strength

AH

AH

DH

DH

10 < t

15

AH

DH

DH

DH

15 < t

20

AH

DH

DH

EH

20 < t

25

DH

DH

DH

EH

25 < t

30

DH

DH

EH

EH

30 < t

35

DH

DH

EH

EH

35 < t

45

DH

EH

EH

FH

45 < t

50

EH

EH

FH

FH

Class II

Plate thickness
[mm]

10

tD

tD

tD

tD

20 C to 25 C

26 C to 35 C

36 C to 45 C

46 C to 55 C

normal
strength

higher
strength

normal
strength

higher
strength

normal
strength

higher
strength

normal
strength

higher
strength

AH

DH

DH

EH

EH

10 < t

20

DH

DH

EH

20 < t

30

DH

EH

EH

FH

30 < t

40

EH

EH

FH

FH

40 < t

45

EH

FH

FH

45 < t

50

EH

FH

FH

Class III

Plate thickness
[mm]

10

tD

tD

tD

tD

20 C to 25 C

26 C to 35 C

36 C to 45 C

46 C to 55 C

normal
strength

higher
strength

normal
strength

higher
strength

normal
strength

higher
strength

normal
strength

higher
strength

DH

DH

EH

EH

EH

FH

10 < t

20

DH

EH

20 < t

25

EH

EH

FH

FH

25 < t

30

EH

EH

FH

FH

30 < t

35

EH

FH

FH

35 < t

40

EH

FH

FH

40 < t

50

FH

FH