S10

S10 Rudders, Sole Pieces and Rudder Horns

(cont)
(1986)
(Rev.1 S10.1 General
1990)
(Corr.1 1.1 Basic assumptions
July
1999) 1.1.1 The following requirements apply to ordinary profile rudders, without any special
(Corr.2 arrangement for increasing the rudder force, such as fins, flaps, steering propellers, etc.
July Rudders not conforming with to the ordinary types will be subject to special consideration.
2003)
(Rev.2 This UR does not apply to CSR Bulk Carriers.
May
2010) 1.2 Design considerations

1.2.1 Effective means are to be provided for supporting the weight of the rudder without
excessive bearing pressure, e.g. by a rudder carrier attached to the upper part of the rudder
stock. The hull structure in way of the rudder carrier is to be suitably strengthened.

1.2.2 Suitable arrangements are to be provided to prevent the rudder from lifting.

1.2.3 In rudder trunks which are open to the sea, a seal or stuffing box is to be fitted above
the deepest load waterline, to prevent water from entering the steering gear compartment and
the lubricant from being washed away from the rudder carrier. If the top of the rudder trunk is
below the deepest waterline, two separate stuffing boxes are to be provided.

1.3 Materials

1.3.1 Rudder stocks, pintles, coupling bolts, keys and cast parts of rudders are to be made
of rolled, forged or cast carbon manganese steel in accordance with unified requirements W7,
W8 and W11.

For rudder stocks, pintles, keys and bolts the minimum yield stress is not to be less than 200
N/mm2. The following requirements are based on a material's yield stress of 235 N/mm2. If
material is used having a yield stress differing from 235 N/mm2 the material factor is to be
determined as follows:

 
e e
 235 
K   F  K   
 235   F 

with

e = 0.75 for σF > 235 N/mm2

e = 1.00 for σF ≤ 235 N/mm2

σF = yield stress (N/mm2) of material used, and is not to be taken greater than 0.7σT
or 450 N/mm2, whichever is the smaller value

σT = tensile strength of material used

Page 1 of 16 IACS Req. 1986/Rev.2 2010

 S10

S10 1.3.2 Before significant reductions in rudder stock diameter due to the application of steels
with yield stresses exceeding 235 N/mm2 are granted, the Society may require the evaluation
(cont) of the rudder stock deformations. Large deformations should be avoided in order to avoid
excessive edge pressures in way of bearings.

1.3.3 Welded parts of rudders are to be made of approved rolled hull materials. Required
scantlings may be reduced when higher tensile steels are applied. The material factor
according to UR S4 is to be used.

S10.2 Rudder force and rudder torque

2.1 Rudder blades without cut-outs (Fig. 1)

2.1.1 The rudder force upon which the rudder scantlings are to be based is to be
determined from the following formula:

CR = K1 • K2 • K3 • 132 • A • V2 • Kth [N]

Where:

CR = rudder force [N];

A = area of rudder blade [m2];

V = maximum service speed (knots) with the ship on summer load waterline. When
the speed is less than 10 knots, V is to be replaced by the expression:

Vmin = (V + 20) / 3

For the astern condition the maximum astern speed is to be used, however, in
no case less than:

Vastern = 0.5 V

K1 = factor depending on the aspect ratio λ of the rudder area;

K1 = (λ + 2) / 3, with λ not to be taken greater than 2;

λ = b2 / At, where b = mean height of the rudder area [m]. Mean breadth and mean
height of rudder are calculated acc. to the coordinate system in Fig. 1;

At = sum of rudder blade area A and area of rudder post or rudder horn, if any,
within the height b [m2];

K3 = 0.8 for rudders outside the propeller jet;

= 1.15 for rudders behind a fixed propeller nozzle;
= 1.0 otherwise;

Kth = CR (Cth) / CR (Cth = 1.0), Cth = thrust coefficient;

Kth is usually equal to 1.0 for rudders behind the propeller. For cases, where
Cth is larger than one, it is left to the discretion of each individual society to
consider the factor Kth with thrust coefficient Cth larger than 1.

Page 2 of 16 IACS Req. 1986/Rev.2 2010

 S10

S10 Fig. 1
(cont)

Table 1

K2
Profile Type
Ahead condition Astern condition

NACA-00
Gottingen-profiles

1.1 0.80

Hollow profiles

1.35 0.90

Flat side profiles

1.1 0.90

Page 3 of 16 IACS Req. 1986/Rev.2 2010

 S10

S10 2.1.2 The rudder torque is to be calculated for both the ahead and astern condition
according to the formula:
(cont)
QR = CR r [Nm]

r = c (α – k) [m]

c = mean breadth of rudder area [m], see Fig. 1

α = 0.33 for ahead condition

α = 0.66 for astern condition

k = balance factor as follows

k = Af / A, where Af = portion of the rudder blade area situated ahead of the centre
line of the rudder stock

rmin = 0.1c [m] for ahead condition

2.2 Rudder blades with cut-outs (semi-spade rudders)

The total rudder force CR is to be calculated according to S10.2.1.1. The pressure distribution
over the rudder area, upon which the determination of rudder torque and rudder blade
strength is to be based, is to be derived as follows:

The rudder area may be divided into two rectangular or trapezoidal parts with areas A1 and
A2, so that A = A1 + A2 (see Fig. 2).

Fig. 2

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 S10

S10 The levers r1 and r2 are to be determined as follows:

(cont) r1 = c1 (α – K1) [m]

r2 = c2 (α – K2) [m]

c1, c2 = mean beadth of partial areas A1, A2 determined, where applicable, in

accordance with Fig.1 in S10.2.1.1

A1f
k1 =
A1

A2f
k2 =
A2

α = 0.33 for ahead condition

α = 0.66 for astern condition

For parts of a rudder behind a fixed structure such as the rudder horn

α = 0.25 for ahead condition

α = 0.55 for astern condition

The resulting force of each part may be taken as:

A1
CR1 = CR [N]
A

A2
CR2 = CR [N]
A

The resulting torque of each part may be taken as:

QR1 = CR1 r1 [Nm]

QR2 = CR2 r2 [Nm]

The total rudder torque is to be calculated for both the ahead and astern condition according
to the formula:

QR = QR1 + QR2 [Nm]

For ahead condition QR is not to be taken less than

A1c1  A2c2
QR min  0.1CR
A

Page 5 of 16 IACS Req. 1986/Rev.2 2010

 S10

S10 S10.3 Rudder stock scantlings in way of the tiller

(cont) The rudder stock diameter required for the transmission of the rudder torque is to be
dimensioned such that the torsional stress will not exceed the following value:

τt = 68 K 68 / K

The rudder stock diameter for the transmission of the rudder torque is therefore not to be less
than:

d t  4.23 QR K d t  4.23 QR K [mm]

QR = total rudder torque [Nm] as calculated in S10.2.1.2 and/or S10.2.2.

For the application of the material factor K see also S10.1.3.2.

S10.4 Rudder strength calculation

4.1 The rudder force and resulting rudder torque as given in para S2 causes bending
moments and shear forces in the rudder body, bending moments and torques in the rudder
stock, supporting forces in pintle bearings and rudder stock bearings and bending moments,
shear forces and torques in rudder horns and heel pieces. The rudder body is to be stiffened
by horizontal and vertical webs enabling it to act as a bending girder.

4.2 The bending moments, shear forces and torques as well as the reaction forces are to
be determined by a direct calculation or by an approximate simplified method considered
appropriate by each individual society. For rudders supported by sole pieces or rudder horns
these structures are to be included in the calculation model in order to account for the elastic
support of the rudder body. Guidelines for calculation of bending moment and shear force
distribution are given in an annex to this requirement.

4.3 Rudder stock scantlings due to combined loads

If the rudder stock is subjected to combined torque and bending, the equivalent stress in the
rudder stock is not to exceed 118 / K.

The equivalent stress is to be determined by the formula:

 c   b2  3 t2 [N/mm2]

Bending stress:  b  10.2 M dc3 [N/mm2]

Torsional stress:  t  5.1QR d c3 [N/mm2]

The rudder stock diameter is therefore not to be less than:

d c  d t 6 1  4 / 3M QR 
2
[mm]

M = bending moment [Nm] at the station of the rudder stock considered

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 S10

S10 S10.5 Rudder blade scantlings

(cont) 5.1 Permissible stresses

The section modulus and the web area of a horizontal section of the rudder blade made of
ordinary hull structural steel are to be such that the following stresses will not be exceeded:

a) rudder blades without cut-outs (Fig. 1)

(i) bending stress σb 110 N/mm2

(ii) shear stress τ 50 N/mm2
(iii) equivalent stress  e   b2  3 2 120 N/mm2

b) rudder blades with cut-outs (e.g. semi-spade rudders. Fig. 2 of S10)

(i) bending stress σb 75 N/mm2

(ii) shear stress τ 50 N/mm2
in way of cut-outs
(iii) equivalent stress  e   b2  3 2 100 N/mm2

5.2 Rudder plating

The thickness of the rudder side, top and bottom plating made of ordinary hull structural steel
is not to be less than:

t  5.5s d  CR 10 4 A  2.5 [mm]

d = summer loadline draught [m] of the ship;

CR = rudder force [N] according to S10.2.1.1;

A = rudder area [m2];

  1.1  0.5s b ; max. 1.00 if b/s ≥ 2.5

2

s = smallest unsupported width of plating in [m];

b = greatest unsupported width of plating in [m].

The thickness of the nose plates may be increased to the discretion of each society. The
thickness of web plates is not to be less than 70% of the rudder side plating, however, not
less than 8 mm. For higher tensile steels the material factor according to UR S4 is to be used
correspondingly.

5.3 Single plate rudders

5.3.1 Mainpiece diameter

The mainpiece diameter is calculated according to S10.3 and S10.4.3 respectively. For spade
rudders the lower third may taper down to 0.75 times stock diameter.

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 S10

S10 5.3.2 Blade thickness

(cont) The blade thickness is not to be less than:

tb = 1.5 s V + 2.5 [mm]

s = spacing of stiffening arms in [m], not to exceed 1 m;

v = speed in knots, see S10.2.1.1.

5.3.3 Arms

The thickness of the arms is not to be less than the blade thickness

ta = tb

The section modulus is not to be less than

Za = 0.5 s C12 V2 [cm3];

C1 = horizontal distance from the aft edge of the rudder to the centreline of the
rudder stock, in metres

For higher tensile steels the material factor according to UR S4 is to be used correspondingly.

S10.6 Rudder stock couplings

6.1 Horizontal flange couplings

6.1.1 The diameter of the coupling bolts is not to be less than:

d b  0.62 d 3 K b n emK s [mm]

d = stock diameter, the greater of the diameters dt or dc according to S10.3 and

S10.4.3 [mm];

n = total number of bolts, which is not to be less than 6;

em = mean distance [mm] of the bolt axes from the centre of the bolt system;

Ks = material factor for the stock as given in S10.1.3.1;

Kb = material factor for the bolts as given in S10.1.3.1.

6.1.2 The thickness of the coupling flanges is not to be less than determined by the
following formulae:

tf  d b K f K b

Kf = material factor for flange as given in S10.1.3.1;

tf min = 0.9 db;

Page 8 of 16 IACS Req. 1986/Rev.2 2010

 S10

S10 db = bolt diameter calculated for a number of bolts not exceeding 8.

(cont) 6.1.3 The width of material outside the bolt holes is not to be less than 0.67 db.

6.2 Cone couplings

6.2.1 Cone couplings without hydraulic arrangements for mounting and dismounting the
coupling should have a taper on diameter of 1:8 - 1:12 and be secured by a slugging nut.

The taper length (1) of rudder stocks fitted into the rudder blade and secured by a nut should
generally not be less than 1.5 times the rudder stock diameter (do) at the top of the rudder.

For couplings between stock and rudder a key is to be provided. Determination of scantlings
of the key is left to the discretion of each society.

Fig. 4

do

da
I > do x 1.5

dm

du

taper = (do – du) / 1

hn

dg

dn

6.2.2 The dimensions of the slugging nut are to be as follows (see Fig. 4):

external thread diameter: dg ≥ 0.65 do

length of nut: hn ≥ 0.6 dg

outer diameter of nut: dn ≥ 1.2 du, or 1.5 dg

whichever is the greater.

6.2.3 Cone couplings with hydraulic arrangements for mounting and dismounting the
coupling (mounting with oil injection and hydraulic nut) should have a taper on diameter of
1:12 - 1:20.

The push-up oil pressure and the push-up length are to be specially considered in each
individual case based on a calculation to be submitted by the yard.

6.3 Vertical flange couplings

6.3.1 The diameter of the coupling bolts is not to be less than

d b  0.81d n  kb ks

where

Page 9 of 16 IACS Req. 1986/Rev.2 2010

 S10

S10 d = stock diameter;

(cont)
n = total number of bolts, which is not to be less than 8;

kb = material factor for bolts as given in S10.1.3.1;

ks = material factor for stock as given in S10.1.3.1.

6.3.2 The first moment of area of the bolts about the centre of the coupling, m, must be at
least:

m = 0.00043 d3

6.3.3 The thickness of the coupling flanges must be at least equal to the bolt diameter, and
the width of the flange material outside the bolt holes must be greater than or equal to 0.67
db.

S10.7 Pintles

7.1 Pintles are to have a conical attachment to the gudgeons with a taper on diameter not
greater than:

1:8 - 1:12 for keyed and other manually assembled pintles applying locking by slugging nut,

1:12 - 1:20 on diameter for pintles mounted with oil injection and hydraulic nut.

The length of the pintle housing in the gudgeon is not to be less than the maximum pintle
diameter

d p  0.35 Bk p

where B is the relevant bearing force and kp is the material factor as given in S10.1.3.1.

7.2 The minimum dimensions of threads and nuts are to be determined according to para
S10.6.2.2.

S10.8 Rudder stock–, rudder shaft– and pintle bearings

8.1 Minimum bearing surface

An adequate lubrication is to be ensured provided.

The bearing surface Ab (defined as the projected area: length x outer diameter of liner) is not
to be less than:

Ab = P / qa [mm2]

where

P = reaction force [N] in bearing as determined in S10.4.2;

qa = allowable surface pressure according to the table below.

Page 10 of 16 IACS Req. 1986/Rev.2 2010

 S10

S10 The maximum surface pressure qa for the various combinations is to be taken as reported in
the table below. Higher values than given in the table may be taken in accordance with
(cont) makers’ specifications if they are verified by tests:

Bearing material qa [N/mm2]

lignum vitae 2.5

white metal, oil lubricated 4.5

synthetic material with hardness between 60 5.5

and 70 Shore D1)

steel2) and bronze and hot-pressed bronze- 7.0

graphite materials
1) Indentation hardness test at 23°C and with 50% moisture, acc. to a recognized standard.
Synthetic bearing materials to be of approved type.
2) Stainless and wear-resistant steel in an approved combination with stock liner.

8.2 Length of bearings

The length/diameter ratio of the bearing surface is not to be greater than 1.2.

8.3 Bearing clearances

With metal bearings, clearances should not be less than db / 1000 + 1.0 [mm] on the
diameter. If non-metallic bearing material is applied, the bearing clearance is to be specially
determined considering the material’s swelling and thermal expansion properties. This
clearance in no way is to be taken less than 1.5 mm on bearing diameter.

S10.9 Strength of sole pieces and of rudder horns

9.1 Sole piece

Fig. 5

z
a
y y
b

x
150

The section modulus around the vertical (z)-axis is not to be less than:

Zz = Mb K / 80 [cm3]

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 S10

S10 The section modulus around the transverse (y)-axis is not to be less than:
(cont) Zy = 0.5 Zz

The sectional area is not to be less than:

As = B1 K / 48 [mm2]

K = material factor as given S10.1.3.1 or UR S4 respectively.

9.1.1 Equivalent stress

At no section within the length ℓ50 is the equivalent stress is to exceed 115 / K. The equivalent
stress is to be determined by the following formula:

 e   b2  3 2 [N/mm2];

σb = Mb / Zz(x) [N/mm2];

τ = B1 / As [N/mm2];

Mb = bending moment at the section considered [Nm];

Mb = B1 x [Nm];

Mbmax = B1 ℓ50 [Nm];

B1 = supporting force in the pintle bearing [N] (normally B1 = CR / 2).

9.2 Rudder horn

When the connection between the rudder horn and the hull structure is designed as a curved
transition into the hull plating, special consideration should be given to the effectiveness of
the rudder horn plate in bending and to the stresses in the transverse web plates.

The loads on the rudder horn are as follows:

Mb = bending moment = B1 z [Nm], Mbmax = B1 d [Nm]

q = shear force = B1 [N]

MT(z) = torsional moment = B1 e (z) [Nm]

see Fig. 6

Fig. 6
B1d B1 B1e(z)

z
z
e(z) Mb Q Mr

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 S10

S10 An estimate for B1 is

(cont) B1 = CR b / (ℓ20 + ℓ30) [N].

For b, ℓ20 and ℓ30, see Fig. 2 of annex.

The section modulus around the horizontal x-axis is not to be less than:

Zx = Mb K / 67 [cm3].

The shear stress is not to be larger than:

τ = 48 / K [N/mm2].

9.2.1 Equivalent stress

At no section within the length d is the equivalent stress is to exceed 120 / K. The equivalent
stress is to be calculated by the following formula:

 e   b2  3 2   T2  [N/mm2];

σb = Mb / Zx [N/mm2]

τ = B1 / Ah [N/mm2]

τT = MT 103 / 2 AT th [N/mm2]

Ah = effective shear area of rudder horn in y-direction;

AT = area in the horizontal section enclosed by the rudder horn [mm2];

th = plate thickness of rudder horn [mm];

K = material factor as given in S10.1.3.1 or UR S4 respectively.

9.3 Pintle housing

The bearing length Lp of the pintle is to be such that

Dp ≤ Lp ≤ 1.2 Dp

The length of the pintle housing in the gudgeon is not to be less than the pintle diameter Dp.
The thickness of the pintle housing is not to be less than 0.25 Dp.

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 S10

S10 Annex
(cont) Guidelines for calculation of bending moment and shear force distribution

1. General

The evaluation of bending moments, shear forces and support forces for the system rudder –
rudder stock may be carried out for some basic rudder types as shown in Fig. 1 - 3 as
outlined below.

2. Data for the analysis

ℓ10 - ℓ50 = lengths of the individual girders of the system in [m];

I10 - I50 = moments of inertia of these girders in [cm4].

For rudders supported by a sole piece the length ℓ20 is the distance between lower edge of
rudder body and centre of sole piece and I20 the moment of inertia of the pintle in the sole
piece.

Load of rudder body (general)

PR = CR / 103 x ℓ10 [kN/m].

Load for semi-spade rudders

PR10 = CR2 / ℓ 10 x 103 [kN/m];

PR20 = CR1 / ℓ 10 x 103 [kN/m]

for CR, CR1, CR2, see S10.2.2

Z = spring constant of support in the sole piece or rudder horn respectively;

Z = 6.18 x I50 / ℓ 503 [kN/m] for the support in the sole piece (Fig. 1)

I50 = moment of inertia of sole piece around the z-axis [cm4];

 50 = effective length of sole piece in [m];

Z = 1 / (fb + ft) [kN/m] for the support in the rudder horn (Fig. 2);

fb = unit displacement of rudder horn in [m] due to a unit force of 1 kN acting in the
centre of support;

fb = 1.3 d3 / (6.18 In) [m/kN] (guidance value);

In = moment of inertia of rudder horn around the x-axis in [cm4]

(see also Fig. 6 of S10.9.2);

ft = unit displacement due to torsion;

ft = de 2 u i 
t i 3.14  10 8 FT2  [m/kN];

Page 14 of 16 IACS Req. 1986/Rev.2 2010

 S10

S10 FT = mean sectional area of rudder horn in [m2];

(cont) ui = breadth in [mm] of the individual plates forming the mean horn sectional area;

ti = thickness within the individual breadth ui in [mm];

for e, d, see Fig. 2.

3. Moments and forces to be evaluated

The bending moment MR and the shear force Q1 in the rudder body, the bending moment Mb
in the neck bearing and the support forces B1, B2, B3 are to be evaluated. The so evaluated
moments and forces are to be used for the stress analyses required by S10.4, S10.6, S10.8
and S10.9.

4. Estimates for spade rudders

For spade rudders the moments and forces may be determined by the following formulae:

Mb = CR (  20 + (  10 (2 c1 + c2) / 3 (c1 + c2))) [Nm];

B3 = Mb /  30 [N];
B2 = CR + B3 [N].

Fig. 1: Rudder supported by sole piece

B3

Mb
I40 l40 B2

I30 l30

I10 l10 PR
MR

I20
l20 I50
Z
B1
l50 System M Q

Page 15 of 16 IACS Req. 1986/Rev.2 2010

 S10

S10 Fig. 2: Semi-spade rudder

(cont)

B3

I40 l40 Mb B2

I30 l30

I20 l20
b d
B1
d/2 PR 20
Q1
Z
CR
PR 10
I10 l10
MR

System M Q

Fig.3: Spade rudder

B3

l30

B2

l20

C2 Mb

l10
PR

C1
System M Q

End of
Document

Page 16 of 16 IACS Req. 1986/Rev.2 2010