Design of Ship Hull Structures: A Practical Guide for Engineers

In this book, the five authors show us the condensed experience how to design ship hull structures from a practical viewpoint. In three parts, the book presents the fundamentals, the theory and the application of structural design of hulls. The topics are treated comprehensively with an emphasis on how to achieve reliable and efficient ship structures. The authors have in particular introduced their experiences with the rapid increase of ship sizes as well as the introduction of ship types with a high degree of specialization. The associated early failures of these "new" structures have been analyzed to provide the readers with illustrations why structural design needs to be carried out on several levels in order to ensure that correct loading is applied and that local structural behaviour is properly understood. In the 2nd revision, the authors made a comprehensive revision reflecting new development of technologies over the past 15 years after the publication of the 1st edition, including advanced direct load and structural analyses, new structural design methods, and the rapid increase in the size of container ships.

Dr. Yasuhisa Okumoto joined Shipbuilding & Offshore Division, IHI in 1965 and engaged in structural design and production engineering of ships. He moved to Faculty of Engineering, Kinki University in 1992, then moved to JWRI, Osaka University in 2010, and retired in 2017. His research interests include basic and detail design of ship hull structures, computer system of hull design, and intelligent ship production system. He has published many technical reports on structural detail design, design system by a computer, and construction system (i.e. CAD, CAE, CAM, NC, and CIM of ship), as well as automated assembly system, accuracy control system, advanced production/management system. He also has authored many books, including "Shipbuilding Technology & Production System" in Japanese (Seizando Publishing, 2010), and “Ship Production System” (Seizando Publishing, 2024). He was often invited as a speaker or a committee member of domestic or international committee like class NK, SNAJ, ISSC, and TEAM.

Prof. Tetsuo Okada’s current position is Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, Japan. He used to work for Japan Marine United Corporation until 2014 and engaged in structural design and management of many ship and offshore projects, including large post-Panamax container ships, LNG carriers, FSO/FPSO’s and FLNG’s. His current research field ranges from rational structural design methodologies, whipping responses and ultimate strength of large container ships, to hull condition monitoring and structural digital twin. He has served as a member or a chairman for many committees and conferences, including chair of the 14th international symposium on practical design of ships and other floating structures (PRADS 2019), and chair of the Committee V.3 “Materials and Fabrication Technology” for ISSC 2009.

Dr. Yu Takeda joined IHI in 1981 and engaged in structural design and research of various kinds of ships and offshore structures in the company's shipbuilding & offshore division and research institute. He was an authority on vibration problems both in theory and practice, as well as structural design and analysis, and has solved many vibration problems. He has served on various international committees and conferences, such as ISSC and TEAM. He passed away in 2008.

Dr. Masaki Mano worked for shipbuilding & offshore division and research institute, IHI between 1952 and 1986, and then served as a professor, Faculty of Engineering, Kinki University between 1987 and 1999. He also served as an invited professor at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in 1976 and 1982, and at the University of São Paulo in 1978. He is a professor emeritus at Far Eastern Federal University (Vladivostok), and Technical University of Varna (Bulgaria).

Dr. Masanobu Toyoda joined IHI in 1996 and subsequently worked at IHIMU and JMU, where he was responsible for the structural design of various types of ships and marine structures. During this period, he led various research and development projects, earning numerous awards for his contributions. He also served as a member of the ISSC2015 and ISSC2018 IV.2 Design Method committee. Currently, he serves as a manager in the department handling big data for ship operations.