The Ship Structure Committee, an interagency advisory committee dedicated to improving the structure of ships, has recently published three new technical reports that are available free of charge.
SSC-294, "Further Survey of In-Service Performance of Structural Details," is the completion of an earlier SSC Report (SSC-272) that defined and cataloged structural details from 86 commercial and naval vessels showing their incidence of failure from a variety of causes, including poor design or workmanship, neglect, or heavy weather. With this substantial data base, meaningful statistical analyses can be conducted to provide information on detail selection, proper fabrication, and proper maintenance and repair.
SSC-295, "Non-destructive Inspection of Longitudinal Stiffener Butt Welds in Commercial Vessels," is the result of an investigation of the quality control requirements for the subject weldments. A survey of past casualty reports and repair shipyard experience indicated that the current accepted procedures are sufficient.
SSC-296, "Review of Fillet Weld Strength Parameters for Shipbuilding," details the fillet weld specification of 12 code-setting bodies and presents a developmental procedure for a rational analysis of required weld strength. Further effort in the analysis of fillet welds is planned.
For copies of these reports, an index of past reports or further information contact Secretary, Ship Structure Committee, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, G-MMT/13, Washington, D.C. 20593.