Micron Document
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html class="client-nojs vector-feature-night-mode-disabled vector-feature-language-in-header-enabled vector-feature-language-in-main-page-header-disabled vector-feature-page-tools-pinned-disabled vector-feature-toc-pinned-clientpref-1 vector-feature-main-menu-pinned-disabled vector-feature-limited-width-clientpref-1 vector-feature-limited-width-content-enabled vector-feature-custom-font-size-clientpref-1 vector-feature-appearance-pinned-clientpref-1 vector-sticky-header-enabled" lang="en" dir="ltr"><head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<title>Longitudinal framing</title>
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<link rel="canonical" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Longitudinal_framing"> <link href="./mw/ext.cite.styles.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<link href="./mw/skins.vector.icons.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<link href="./mw/skins.vector.search.codex.styles.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<link href="./mw/skins.vector.styles.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<link href="./mw/user.styles.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<meta name="ResourceLoaderDynamicStyles" content="">
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="./mw/site.styles.css">
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="./mw/noscript.css">
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="./footer.css">
<link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="./vector-2022.css">
</head>
<body class="skin--responsive skin-vector skin-vector-search-vue mediawiki ltr sitedir-ltr mw-hide-empty-elt ns-0 ns-subject page-Longitudinal_framing rootpage-Longitudinal_framing skin-vector-2022 action-view">
<div class="mw-page-container">
<div class="mw-page-container-inner">
<div class="mw-content-container">
<main id="content" class="mw-body">
<header class="mw-body-header vector-page-titlebar">
<h1 id="firstHeading" class="firstHeading mw-first-heading">
<span id="openzim-page-title" class="mw-page-title-main"><span class="mw-page-title-main">Longitudinal framing</span></span>
</h1>
</header>
<a id="top"></a>
<div id="bodyContent" class="vector-body ve-init-mw-desktopArticleTarget-targetContainer" aria-labelledby="firstHeading" data-mw-ve-target-container="">
<div id="mw-content-text" class="mw-body-content mw-content-ltr" lang="en" dir="ltr"><div class="mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output" lang="en" dir="ltr">

<style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1305433154">
/* start https://en.wikipedia.org/ */


.mw-parser-output .ambox{border:1px solid #a2a9b1;border-left:10px solid #36c;background-color:#fbfbfb;box-sizing:border-box}.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+style+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+style+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+link+.ambox{margin-top:-1px}html body.mediawiki .mw-parser-output .ambox.mbox-small-left{margin:4px 1em 4px 0;overflow:hidden;width:238px;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:88%;line-height:1.25em}.mw-parser-output .ambox-speedy{border-left:10px solid #b32424;background-color:#fee7e6}.mw-parser-output .ambox-delete{border-left:10px solid #b32424}.mw-parser-output .ambox-content{border-left:10px solid #f28500}.mw-parser-output .ambox-style{border-left:10px solid #fc3}.mw-parser-output .ambox-move{border-left:10px solid #9932cc}.mw-parser-output .ambox-protection{border-left:10px solid #a2a9b1}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-text{border:none;padding:0.25em 0.5em;width:100%}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-image{border:none;padding:2px 0 2px 0.5em;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-imageright{border:none;padding:2px 0.5em 2px 0;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-empty-cell{border:none;padding:0;width:1px}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-image-div{width:52px}@media(min-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .ambox{margin:0 10%}}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .ambox{display:none!important}}


/* end https://en.wikipedia.org/ */
</style>

<p><b>Longitudinal framing</b> (also called the <b>Isherwood system</b> after <a href="Great_Britain" title="Great Britain">British</a> <a href="Naval_architect" class="mw-redirect" title="Naval architect">naval architect</a> Sir <a href="Joseph_Isherwood" title="Joseph Isherwood">Joseph Isherwood</a>, who patented it in 1906) is a method of ship construction in which large, widely spaced transverse frames are used in conjunction with light, closely spaced longitudinal members. This method, Isherwood felt, lent a ship much greater longitudinal strength than in ships built in the traditional method, where a series of closely spaced transverse frames are fitted from the keel to the sheer line, with corresponding deck beams, a method that is well suited to support longitudinal planking.
</p><p>Longitudinal framing was a known method of shipbuilding before Isherwood. Naval engineer <a href="John_Scott_Russell" title="John Scott Russell">J. Scott Russell</a>, for instance, had built several longitudinally framed ships, including the <a href="SS_Great_Eastern" title="SS Great Eastern">SS <i>Great Eastern</i></a>. However, no one had made the process practical from a commercial standpoint, which was Isherwood's achievement. The first commercial vessel constructed with the Isherwood system, the oil-tank steamer <i>Paul Paix</i>, of some 6,600 tons deadweight in 1908, was scrutinized by other shipbuilders and owners. The success of it and the first general cargo liner to be constructed on the "Isherwood" system, the <i>Gascony</i> in early 1909, encouraged builders in a number of countries to use longitudinal framing as well.
</p>
<meta property="mw:PageProp/toc">
<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Traditional_versus_longitudinal">Traditional versus longitudinal</h2></div>
<p>In traditional framing, transverse frames are attached at <a href="Right_angle" title="Right angle">right angles</a> to the <a href="Keel" title="Keel">keel</a>, spaced between 2 and 3 feet (61 and 91&nbsp;cm) apart. These are secured at the lower end to the keel or center <a href="Keelson" title="Keelson">keelson</a> and at the upper ends to the <a href="Deck_(ship)" title="Deck (ship)">deck</a> beams. They are in two parts called floors and side frames and, while necessary, subtract from cargo space inside the ship. Longitudinal strength comes from the keel, keelson, <a href="Hull_(watercraft)" title="Hull (watercraft)">intercostals</a> (also called longitudinals), tank top and decks to resist stress caused by the mismatch between load distribution and buoyancy distribution (static loading) and dynamic loading due to motion in a <a href="Glossary_of_nautical_terms_(S)" class="mw-redirect" title="Glossary of nautical terms (S)">seaway</a> . The side plating also takes much of this stress. If there were insufficient longitudinal strength, the hull would bend and eventually "break its back."<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPease1918123_1-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPease1918123-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In the days of wooden ship construction, this was the only practical way to build a large ship since the inside and deck planking had to be laid longitudinally, with the deck planking laid upon transverse beams connected to the frames. Even with the introduction of iron construction, this method allowed for simplicity in construction and transverse strength in short vessels. However, as ships grew in length, longitudinal strength became increasingly important.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWalton1908197_2-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEWalton1908197-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
</p><p>In longitudinal framing, very heavy transverse frames are spaced much further apart than in traditional framing—about 12 feet (370&nbsp;cm) A large number of longitudinal frames are then attached to support the shell plating. The longitudinal frames at the sides fit into notches cut into the transverse frames, while the ones near the bottom of the ship are sometimes made continuous between transverse bulkheads. The transverses are connected to the shell plating at heavy angles and with a tank top are cut at the margin plate. Strong tie bars extend from the face angle on the transverses to the tank top plating. Under the tank top, except for notches cut for the bottom and tank top longitudinals, the transverses are much like ordinary floor plates. The deck longitudinals furnish ample strength, even when large hatch openings must be accommodated.<sup id="cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPease1918123–4_3-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPease1918123–4-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
</p>
<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2></div>
<style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">
/* start https://en.wikipedia.org/ */


.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}


/* end https://en.wikipedia.org/ */
</style><div class="reflist">
<div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references">
<li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEPease1918123-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPease1918123_1-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFPease1918">Pease 1918</a>, p.&nbsp;123.</span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEWalton1908197-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWalton1908197_2-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFWalton1908">Walton 1908</a>, p.&nbsp;197.</span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEPease1918123–4-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEPease1918123–4_3-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a href="#CITEREFPease1918">Pease 1918</a>, pp.&nbsp;123–4.</span>
</li>
</ol></div></div>
<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Bibliography">Bibliography</h2></div>
<ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=pw5LAAAAYAAJ&amp;dq=lexington+class+battlecruisers&amp;pg=PA302">United States Navy, <i>Proceedings</i>, p. 302. Retrieved 4 May 2012.</a></li>
<li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/isherwood%20system"><i>Merriam-Webster Dictionary</i>, "Isherwood system." Retrieved 4 May 2012.</a></li>
<li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.marinelink.com/history/joseph-william-isherwood">Marinelink.com, "Joseph William Isherwood." Retrieved 4 May 2012.</a></li>
<li><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">
/* start https://en.wikipedia.org/ */


.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("./mw/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("./mw/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("./mw/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("./mw/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}


/* end https://en.wikipedia.org/ */
</style><cite id="CITEREFPease1918" class="citation book cs1">Pease, Fred Forrest (1918). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/modernshipbuild01peasgoog"><i>Modern Shipbuilding Terms</i></a>. Philadelphia and London: J.B. Lippincott Company.</cite></li>
<li><cite id="CITEREFWalton1908" class="citation book cs1">Walton, Thomas (1908). <i>Steel Ships: Their Construction and Maintenance: a Manual for Shipbuilders, Students and Marine Engineers</i>. London: Griffin.</cite></li></ul>
<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="External_links">External links</h2></div>
<ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=ljopAAAAYAAJ&amp;dq=isherwood+system+ship+construction&amp;pg=RA11-PA11">Article by Sir Joseph Isherwood about the Isherwood system. "Economy in Modern Shipbuilding—II." In <i>Shipping: a weekly journal of marine trades</i> (New York: Shipping Publishing Company, Inc.) 22 June 1918. Retrieved 5 May 2012.</a></li></ul></div><!--htdig_noindex--><div><div class="zim-footer">
This article is issued from <a class="external text" title="Last edited on 2025-08-08" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/?title=Longitudinal_framing&amp;oldid=1304835828">Wikipedia</a>. The text is available under <a class="external text" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en">Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0</a> unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.
</div>
</div><!--/htdig_noindex--></div>
</div>
</main>
</div>
</div>
</div>

</body></html>