8. Structural Alignment and Continuity

A ship is assembled from various structural components. The question of structural alignment arises at the fit up stage of any production process. It can be alignment of two flat plates for butt welding, fitting of stiffeners of a stiffened panel, erection of the side shell panel above the double bottom unit or installation of the superstructure block above the main deck, etc. In all these cases, alignment of the mating edges and all the other associated stiffening members pose a serious challenge to the production team in the shop floor. This aspect of alignment is closely connected with structural continuity or discontinuity. Alignment is a production aspect whereas continuity needs to be implemented in the design stage. However they are interrelated, a structural misalignment during production will lead to a case of structural discontinuity. Thus to achieve structural continuity or to avoid serious discontinuities, precision structural alignment is a necessity.