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Basics Of Hull Design and What To Look For When Hiring Hull Engineers

In case you don’t know the term yet, hull refers to that watertight body of a ship. It is the most visible and notable structural component of a marine vehicle. Its role is utterly important because it protects the cargo as well as the machinery and accommodation parts of the ship.
As the construction of this structure is rather complex, there’s a need for hull civil engineers and hull structural engineers to helm the job. They have the proper knowledge and training when it comes to building hulls that weigh just enough for the ship to stay afloat — and strong enough to withstand the rough weathers of the water as well as structural damage.
How Hulls Are Designed
Hull structural engineers factor in different aspects when designing this structure. These include:
Hull lines and shape. Hull lines are based on different numeric parameters, e.g. Block coefficient (ratio of the whole ship’s underwater volume to the volume of the imaginary rectangle enclosing the underwater portion of the hull to be built) and midship coefficient (ratio of the submerged area of the ship’s middle section to the enclosing rectangle). Once these are computed for a particular ship, engineers can now have a clear picture of how they should shape the vessel’s hull.
Hull structure and strength. This aspect takes around 70% of the entire structural design of the ship. This is why hull civil engineers pour in their best efforts to determine and design the hull’s structure and strength — they calculate the maximum load that can be accommodated (which entails calculating the dimensions of midship components like beams and pillars) and develop 3D models and analyses to test their calculations.
Course stability. When a ship is able to move in a straight line along its new direction after facing external disturbance, its hull is said to have so-called straight-line stability. Attaining this stability is one of the main goals of hull engineers. They may change the initial shape of their hull design or certain geometric measurements to hit this objective.
Important Tips When Hiring Hull Engineers
Hull construction and maintenance are crucial jobs if you want to create — and sustain — the good condition of any water-traversing vehicle. When you’re hiring workers to be part of your hull and outfitting department, here’s what you need to look for among your prospective employees:
Educational background. Hull structural engineers should first and foremost have the appropriate educational background (e.g. Marine engineering or other related courses) — which equips them with the fundamentals of designing and making marine-related structures that last. Make sure that the programs they have undertaken are accredited.
Training and experience. This kind of engineer should also be licensed and have received proper training. As stated, making structures like hulls is a complex task — you have to see proof that who you’ll hire is fit for the job. Be mindful of their previous work experiences as well — they must be capable of delivering the services stipulated in the job description.
Attitude towards work. Hull civil engineers are professionals who work with other marine experts and employees. They should be a team player and should exhibit professionalism at all times. Above all, you should see that they are passionate enough to be able to thrive in this rather challenging line of work.

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