Going Further with Structural Design & Scantling with ISO 12215

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Welcome!

Welcome to Going Further with Structural Design & Scantling with ISO 12215!

Structural design is the process of planning and defining the shape, components, dimensions, layout, and materials of a vessel’s structure to ensure it is strong, safe, and fit for purpose—while also considering buildability, weight, cost, and performance.

Scantling determination refers to the process of calculating the detailed dimensions and specifications of the structural elements of a vessel. This includes the thickness, height, width, spacing, and material grade of components such as hull and deck panels, frames and ribs, beams and girders, bulkheads and stringers.

Scantling determination can be approached through various methods:

– Rule-Based Methods (Empirical or Prescriptive)

These are the most widely used in practice, especially for conventional vessels. They are based on standards and guidelines provided by classification societies (e.g., DNV, ABS, Lloyd’s Register) or international standards such as ISO 12215. These methods offer formulas and tables derived from industry experience and experimental data, providing a practical and standardized framework for design.

– First-Principles Calculations (Analytical Methods)

This approach relies on classical engineering mechanics, including beam theory, plate theory, and stress analysis, to assess structural behavior under various loading conditions. It allows for a more tailored design, especially for parts not fully addressed by rule-based methods.

– Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

FEA uses computational modeling and specialized software to simulate how structures respond to forces, pressure, and other environmental conditions. It offers high accuracy and is particularly suitable for complex geometries and innovative designs where conventional rules may fall short.

– Experimental and Prototype Testing

Primarily used for verification and certification, especially in unconventional or cutting-edge designs. This method involves building full-scale or scaled models and testing them under real or simulated loads.

– Hybrid Approaches

In real-world design, engineers often combine several methods: rule-based design for general structure, FEA or analytical methods for critical areas or innovations, and prototype testing for validation.

The course

This course focuses on ISO 12215 – Small Craft: Hull Construction and Scantlings, an international standard dedicated to the scantling determination of recreational and commercial craft and workboats up to 24 meters long. Compliance with ISO 12215 is mandatory for obtaining the CE marking and, therefore, for selling boats in the European Union.

This course is a continuation of the Structural Design & Scantling with ISO 12215 course. While it builds on key concepts and topics introduced in the first course, it also explores new areas not previously covered. In fact, whereas the first course focused primarily on GPR materials and monohull sailboats, this course will introduce and expand upon the following topics:

• Metallic materials, with some coverage of wooden materials as well.
• Multihulls.
• Motorboats.

In this course, we will briefly review the fundamentals of the strength of materials and the basic concepts to consider in marine structural design. This includes the stress-strain curve, methods for calculating the stresses in a beam, and the typical structural elements present in boat construction.

Additionally, the beam and shell theories briefly introduced in the first course will be expanded here. The Euler-Bernoulli and Timoshenko beam theories will be presented in detail, and Timoshenko’s plate theory will also be discussed. Next, we will study metallic materials, examining the metallic bond, the crystallographic structures found in metals, and how these affect their mechanical properties. Immediately thereafter, we will discuss some notes on aluminum and steel, the most widely used metals in the boat industry, followed by a brief overview of wood and its characteristics.

An introduction to the ISO norm will then be provided, after which the particular aspects concerning metals and motor boats will be addressed in detail before the concepts are applied to a real example. In this context, we will begin by examining a metallic motorboat case, calculating the design pressures, and determining the scantling for a stiffener and a panel.

Subsequently, we will cover the topic of multihulls. As usual, we will discuss the theoretical aspects of the norm necessary for understanding practical applications. The main peculiarity of this type of craft is that the norm considers global loads, and several practical examples will be presented.

Finally, the application of the norm to wood will be briefly introduced. We will first explain how the norm applies in this case and then work through an example of panel scantling.

What will you learn?

Course organization

The course is video-based and on-demand, allowing you to learn at your own pace, wherever and whenever you want.

It includes videos, quizzes, and downloadable documents and provides access to the course’s virtual private classroom, where you can interact with the instructor and other students.

Upon completing all lessons, passing the quizzes, and having your course assignment approved, you will receive the Course Certificate.

– Resources:

• Video lessons.
• English subtitles.
• Written materials.
• Quizzes.
• Final Assignment.
• Virtual Private Classroom.
• Course Certificate.

– Classroom:

– Prerequisites:

• Ideally, students will have completed the first scantling course, gaining familiarity with the basic principles of strength of materials and developing some proficiency in working with the standard. However, key concepts and commonly used sections of the norm are reviewed throughout the course, allowing those who have not taken the previous course to follow along effectively.

• Having an engineering background will help you during the journey. Additionally, a foundational understanding of physics and mathematical concepts is assumed.

• A minimum Navalapp membership level of “Subscriber” (free membership) is required to enroll in this course.