Casualty Information

Information from DNV to the maritime industry No. 3 July 2008

Typical cracks in deck

of oil tankers
Type: Oil tankers Size: Any Year built: Any

Crack

Cracks

Crack

Course of events could easily have resulted in more serious damage to the deck
Cracks in deck plating in way of deck penetrations of oil tankers structure and the safety of the ship if left unattended over time.
has been an increasing problem and is typical on vessels with
high strength steel in deck and most typically found on Buoy Probable causes
loading Oil Tankers trading in the North Sea. The probable cause of some of the cracks could have been a
In this publication a number of examples of various kinds of rough edge cut with an oxy-acetylene torch, which has resulted
damage have been shown. In each case the cause(s) of the dam- in the initiation of a crack.
age have been discussed and where applicable, an improved For other cracks welding had been carried out near the edge
detailed design has been proposed. of the hole in the deck plating. Cracks have also developed from
pipe penetrations where a doubler has been used instead of
Extent of damage insert plates.
The damaged areas were limited to cracks in the upper deck plat-
ing in way of the pipe penetrations resulting in small leaks, but

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Casualty Information No. 3 July 2008

Example 1
An inert gas pipe with a collar plate was welded from
the top only and the opening in the deck was found Crack
to have been cut with an oxy-acetylene torch result-
ing in a very rough edge. See picture No. 1.
The rough cut edge caused a crack to initiate and
propagate quickly. The edge should be cut properly
and the edge ground smooth all round. An insert
plate would be a better solution instead of a collar
plate.
The best design for a pipe that does not actually
need to protrude through the deck, particularly, if
access below deck is difficult, is the “improved
design” shown in the sketch No. 1 below.
It should be pointed out that a collar plate should
always be welded from both sides!
In the engine room transverse bulkheads etc. the
collar method is completely acceptable provided
both sides are welded, but on the main deck in the Direction of main stress
cargo area it is not recommended.

Picture No. 1

Sketch No. 1

Example 2
A scupper pipe was fitted in the main deck and it was found likely that
the welding had been near the edge of the hole. A rough cut hole is Crack
also a possible reason for the crack, although on the picture it looks
good. See picture No. 2.
Again the hole should be cut properly and ground smooth. Welding Direction of main stress
on or near the edge is not recommended. The distance from plate edge
to the toe of the weld is recommended to be above 10–15 mm. Picture No. 2
Casualty Information No. 3 July 2008

Example 3
Pipe penetration for heating coils is shown in picture
Direction of main stress No. 3 where a doubler or collar plate was used on
top of deck with the pipes passing through the dou-
bler. To add to the problems the cut out in deck was
oriented in the transverse direction.
On picture No. 4 an insert plate repair is shown.
This is always better than a doubler welded on top.
A doubler should only be used in engine room and
fore and aft structure where longitudinal stresses are
not a problem.

If the hole was cut in the longitudinal direction the risk of

Cracks cracks would be reduced, since the effective loss of deck area
is less.

Picture No. 3: Doubler or collar plate is used on top of the deck –

pipes passing through the doubler. See also sketch No. 2 below
marked “Original”. Lessons learned
When cutting holes in the deck plating on oil
tankers the following should be adhered to:

I The edge should be cut properly and the edge

should be ground smooth all round.

I Welding is not recommended to be closer to the

edge than 10–15mm.

I An insert plate repair is always better than collar-

doubler welded on top. If doublers are used, partic-
ular attention should be paid to the workmanship
and design, unless used in areas where longitudinal
stresses are low.

I A collar plate should always be welded from both

sides.

I The risk of cracks would be reduced if elongated

holes in deck was cut in the longitudinal direction,
since the effective loss of deck area is less.

This paper has been prepared with specific focus on

Picture No. 4: Insert plate used instead! See also sketch No. 3 below deck penetrations on oil tankers but will be relevant
marked “Modified”. also to other type vessels where such penetrations
are to be made.

Sketch No. 2: Using a Doubler Sketch No. 3: Insert plate is used

Casualty Information No. 3 July 2008

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