Working together

for a safer world

SSC User Guide

Lloyd’s Register
www.lr.org
Lloyd’s Register Group Limited, its subsidiaries and affiliates and their respective officers, employees or
agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as ‘Lloyd’s Register’. Lloyd’s Register
assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused
by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has
signed a contract with the relevant Lloyd’s Register entity for the provision of this information or advice
and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that
contract.
Lloyd’s Register and variants of it are trading names of Lloyd’s Register Group Limited, its subsidiaries and
affiliates.
Copyright © Lloyds Register EMEA 2020. A member of the Lloyd's Register group
 User Guide SSC 2020

Contents
1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 9
Using SSC ........................................................................................................................................................ 9
Understanding SSC ........................................................................................................................................ 9
Aims and Audience......................................................................................................................................... 9
Document Conventions................................................................................................................................ 10
Software Conventions .................................................................................................................................. 10
2 Installing SSC ............................................................................................................................. 13
SSC Minimum System Requirements......................................................................................................... 13
Installing SSC software ................................................................................................................................ 13
To download SSC ........................................................................................................................................... 13
To start SSC.................................................................................................................................................... 16
Carrying out the Security Registration....................................................................................................... 17
To Request a Licence ..................................................................................................................................... 17
To manually request a Licence ....................................................................................................................... 17
To activate a Licence ...................................................................................................................................... 18
3 Getting Started with SSC........................................................................................................... 19
To open a project file ...................................................................................................................................... 19
The SSC workspace...................................................................................................................................... 19
Project Explorer view ................................................................................................................................... 20
Project Explorer structure ........................................................................................................................... 20
Parents and Children .................................................................................................................................... 21
Antecedents and Dependants ..................................................................................................................... 22
To open the Project Explorer view .................................................................................................................. 22
History view ................................................................................................................................................... 22
To view the History ......................................................................................................................................... 23
Graphic view .................................................................................................................................................. 23
Transverse Section View ............................................................................................................................. 23
To view a Transverse Section ........................................................................................................................ 24
Longitudinal View ......................................................................................................................................... 24
To view the Longitudinal View ........................................................................................................................ 24
Framing View ................................................................................................................................................. 26
To view the Framing View .............................................................................................................................. 26
Structure View ............................................................................................................................................... 27
To view items in the Structure View ............................................................................................................... 27
Properties view ............................................................................................................................................. 28
Properties tables ........................................................................................................................................... 28
Viewing a Properties table .............................................................................................................................. 28
Editing a calculated value in a Properties table.............................................................................................. 30
Returning to a calculated value in a Properties table ..................................................................................... 31
Setting Property table options......................................................................................................................... 32
Formatting in Properties tables ....................................................................................................................... 33
Collapsing and expanding sub-sections in a Properties table........................................................................ 34
Property Details view.................................................................................................................................... 34
Intermediate Calculations page................................................................................................................... 34
To view the Intermediate Calculations ............................................................................................................ 34
Relationships page ....................................................................................................................................... 37
To view Relationships ..................................................................................................................................... 37
Notes page ..................................................................................................................................................... 38
3
 To attach a Note to a Properties field ............................................................................................................. 39
To attach a Note to a Project Explorer view item ........................................................................................... 39
To format a Note ............................................................................................................................................. 40
To delete a Note ............................................................................................................................................. 41
4 Controlling the view arrangement ............................................................................................ 43
SSC toolbars.................................................................................................................................................. 43
To customise toolbars ..................................................................................................................................... 43
To hide toolbars .............................................................................................................................................. 45
Changing the Appearance ........................................................................................................................... 45
Visible Captions ............................................................................................................................................ 45
Resizing views .............................................................................................................................................. 45
To resize views ............................................................................................................................................... 45
Organising the Project Explorer view ......................................................................................................... 46
To rename Project Explorer view items .......................................................................................................... 46
To move items up the Project Explorer .......................................................................................................... 46
To move items down the Project Explorer ...................................................................................................... 46
To delete items from the Project Explorer ...................................................................................................... 46
SSC and Project files .................................................................................................................................... 47
5 Getting Help................................................................................................................................ 49
Using the Special Service Craft Rules........................................................................................................ 49
To search the Rules using Text Search ......................................................................................................... 49
To search the Rules using a Rule Reference ................................................................................................. 51
To view the Rules for a specific item .............................................................................................................. 51
Using the online SSC User Guide ............................................................................................................... 53
To view online help contents .......................................................................................................................... 53
To search the online help using key words .................................................................................................... 54
6 Creating a project with the SSC Start Wizard .......................................................................... 57
Working with SSC projects .......................................................................................................................... 57
Using the SSC Start Wizard ......................................................................................................................... 57
SSC Start Wizard - Navigation panel .......................................................................................................... 57
To start the SSC Start Wizard ........................................................................................................................ 58
To enter Classification Requirements ............................................................................................................. 59
To enter Hull Information ................................................................................................................................ 60
To enter Additional Data ................................................................................................................................. 63
7 Saving Projects and Closing SSC ............................................................................................ 65
To save your project for the first time ............................................................................................................. 65
Using Auto Recovery.................................................................................................................................... 66
To change the Auto Recovery frequency ....................................................................................................... 66
To recover project files.................................................................................................................................... 67
To close projects and quit SSC ...................................................................................................................... 68
8 Entering data in the Details branch .......................................................................................... 69
To enter data for a new project in the Details branch..................................................................................... 69
Basic Data ...................................................................................................................................................... 69
To enter Basic Data ........................................................................................................................................ 69
Classification Data ........................................................................................................................................ 70
To enter Classification data ............................................................................................................................ 70
Craft data ....................................................................................................................................................... 71
To enter Craft data .......................................................................................................................................... 71
Additional Data .............................................................................................................................................. 71
To enter Additional Data ................................................................................................................................. 71
Transverse Frame Spacing data ................................................................................................................. 72
To enter Transverse Frame Spacing data ...................................................................................................... 72
Anchoring and Mooring data ....................................................................................................................... 73
 User Guide SSC 2020

To enter Anchoring and Mooring data ............................................................................................................ 74

To enter Cables, Chains and Ropes data ...................................................................................................... 75
9 Using Resources ........................................................................................................................ 77
Viewing Materials and Profiles .................................................................................................................... 77
To view Materials ............................................................................................................................................ 77
To view Profiles ............................................................................................................................................... 79
Materials and Profiles Library ..................................................................................................................... 80
Locked Items ................................................................................................................................................. 80
Duplicate Library Items ................................................................................................................................ 81
To select items from the Library ..................................................................................................................... 81
To deselect items from the Library ................................................................................................................. 82
To copy items from the Library ....................................................................................................................... 82
Defining custom Materials and Profiles ..................................................................................................... 83
Defining a new Material ................................................................................................................................ 83
To define a new Material................................................................................................................................. 83
To duplicate a Material.................................................................................................................................... 85
To define a new Profile ................................................................................................................................... 86
To modify Profile dimensions in the Graphic view .......................................................................................... 88
Composite schedules ................................................................................................................................... 89
To define a core for a composite schedule..................................................................................................... 89
To define a fibre for a composite schedule..................................................................................................... 91
Composite panels ......................................................................................................................................... 93
Average skin stress ...................................................................................................................................... 93
To create a composite panel .......................................................................................................................... 94
To create a composite stiffener ...................................................................................................................... 98
Creating a Resource Project Library ........................................................................................................ 100
To define new Resource projects ................................................................................................................. 100
To export resources ...................................................................................................................................... 101
To import resources ...................................................................................................................................... 101
10 Defining the Loadings ........................................................................................................... 103
To define a Loading Condition ...................................................................................................................... 103
To enable the Global Loadings Assessment ................................................................................................ 105
Still Water Loading Conditions ................................................................................................................. 106
To define Still Water Loading Conditions ..................................................................................................... 106
Vertical Wave Loading Conditions ........................................................................................................... 109
To define Vertical Wave Loading Conditions ............................................................................................... 110
Dynamic Loading Conditions .................................................................................................................... 113
To define Dynamic Loading Conditions ........................................................................................................ 114
Rig Loading Conditions ............................................................................................................................. 117
To define Rig Loading Conditions................................................................................................................. 118
Combined Loading Conditions ................................................................................................................. 121
To define Combined Loading Conditions ..................................................................................................... 121
11 Defining Structure .................................................................................................................. 125
To define Structures...................................................................................................................................... 125
To review composite structures .................................................................................................................... 128
Cross ply (X-ply) analysis .......................................................................................................................... 130
To view the cross ply analysis ...................................................................................................................... 131
12 Working with the Transverse Section View ......................................................................... 133
Functions of the Transverse Section View .............................................................................................. 134
Transverse Section View methodology.................................................................................................... 134
To Zoom In and Out of the Transverse Section View .................................................................................. 135
To magnify in the Transverse Section View ................................................................................................. 136
5
 To Size to Fit in the Transverse Section View .............................................................................................. 137
Defining the Transverse Sections ............................................................................................................. 138
To add a Transverse Section........................................................................................................................ 138
To copy Transverse Sections ....................................................................................................................... 139
Converting Reflections............................................................................................................................... 140
To convert a reflection .................................................................................................................................. 140
Viewing Labels and Dimensions ............................................................................................................... 142
To select Labels and Dimensions ................................................................................................................. 143
To view Reference Lines .............................................................................................................................. 144
Selection and Drawing toolbar .................................................................................................................. 145
Drawing tools .............................................................................................................................................. 146
To set the Drawing Options .......................................................................................................................... 146
Using the Trim and Extend Tools ............................................................................................................. 147
To use the Trim tool ...................................................................................................................................... 147
To use the Extend tool .................................................................................................................................. 148
13 Entering panel design............................................................................................................ 151
Panels ........................................................................................................................................................... 151
To select a panel and view its properties ..................................................................................................... 151
Creating and defining new panels ............................................................................................................ 154
To insert a panel in the Project Explorer view .............................................................................................. 154
To use construction lines .............................................................................................................................. 156
To create a flat panel .................................................................................................................................... 157
To create a centred curved panel ................................................................................................................. 159
To create a curved panel .............................................................................................................................. 161
To create a polyline panel ............................................................................................................................. 164
To create a spline panel................................................................................................................................ 166
Strakes ......................................................................................................................................................... 168
To split a panel into strakes .......................................................................................................................... 168
Using Multiple Function types for strakes within a panel ...................................................................... 170
To assign Multiple Functions to a strake within a panel ............................................................................... 171
Primary and secondary stiffening ............................................................................................................. 173
To insert a longitudinal primary stiffener....................................................................................................... 173
To add stiffeners to a panel .......................................................................................................................... 175
Longitudinal and Transverse framing systems....................................................................................... 177
To modify Framing Regions .......................................................................................................................... 177
Stiffener Section Modulus Calculator ....................................................................................................... 179
To use the Stiffener Section Modulus Calculator ......................................................................................... 179
14 Assessing Transverse Sections ........................................................................................... 180
To assess Section Properties in the Transverse Section ............................................................................. 180
To make longitudinal structures non-effective for bending........................................................................... 181
15 Adding Machinery .................................................................................................................. 183
To enter Basic Machinery Data .................................................................................................................... 183
To enter Unprotected Screwshafts and Tube Shafts data ........................................................................... 186
To enter Auxiliary Machinery data ................................................................................................................ 188
To enter Steering Gear data ......................................................................................................................... 190
16 Identifying Calculation Errors and Rule Failures ................................................................ 193
Tree data filter ............................................................................................................................................. 193
To use the Tree data filter ............................................................................................................................. 193
Calculation Errors ....................................................................................................................................... 195
Status bar indicator .................................................................................................................................... 195
To identify and correct Calculation Errors .................................................................................................... 195
Rule Failures................................................................................................................................................ 198
To identify and correct Rule Failures ............................................................................................................ 198
 User Guide SSC 2020

Intermediate Calculations symbols .......................................................................................................... 200

To set Rule compliance tool tips ................................................................................................................... 200
17 Tracking revisions ................................................................................................................. 201
Tracking revisions ...................................................................................................................................... 201
To track revisions .......................................................................................................................................... 201
18 Working with Graphs ............................................................................................................. 207
To create a Graph ......................................................................................................................................... 207
To define the X Series .................................................................................................................................. 207
To define the Y Series .................................................................................................................................. 208
To define the Display Options....................................................................................................................... 209
To use Graph formatting tools ...................................................................................................................... 210
Graph toolbar buttons ................................................................................................................................ 210
To use SSC Graphs in other applications .................................................................................................... 211
19 Using the Solution Finder ..................................................................................................... 213
To find a Solution .......................................................................................................................................... 213
Error messages in Solution Finder ........................................................................................................... 215
20 Finalising Items ...................................................................................................................... 217
To finalise and unfinalise items..................................................................................................................... 217
21 Creating Reports .................................................................................................................... 219
Getting started with the Report Configuration Tool ............................................................................... 219
To open the Report Configuration Tool from outside SSC ........................................................................... 219
To open the Report Configuration Tool from within SSC ............................................................................. 220
Using report templates ............................................................................................................................... 221
SSC sample report templates .................................................................................................................... 221
To open a report template ............................................................................................................................ 221
To preview and print a report ........................................................................................................................ 223
Creating a new report template ................................................................................................................. 224
To create a report using conditions .............................................................................................................. 224
To create a report using comparing two or more calculated values ............................................................ 227
Creating and editing HTML reports .......................................................................................................... 230
To create an HTML Report ........................................................................................................................... 230
Editing an HTML Report ............................................................................................................................. 232
To edit an HTML report in Microsoft® Word ................................................................................................. 232
To edit an HTML report in Microsoft® Excel ................................................................................................ 232
Defining report printing options................................................................................................................ 232
To define report printing options ................................................................................................................... 232
Appendix A - SSC toolbars ........................................................................................................ 235
Format Notes toolbar.................................................................................................................................. 235
Graph toolbar .............................................................................................................................................. 236
Grid Array toolbar ....................................................................................................................................... 237
Grid Properties toolbar............................................................................................................................... 237
Intermediate Calculations toolbar ............................................................................................................. 239
Library toolbar ............................................................................................................................................. 240
Midship Editor toolbar ................................................................................................................................ 241
Selection and Drawing toolbar .................................................................................................................. 242
Standard toolbar ......................................................................................................................................... 243
Standard Notes toolbar .............................................................................................................................. 244
Tree toolbar ................................................................................................................................................. 245
Appendix B - Icons and symbols ............................................................................................... 247
Tree icons .................................................................................................................................................... 247
Panel and details symbols ......................................................................................................................... 247
7
 Filter option symbols.................................................................................................................................. 250
Intermediate Calculations symbols .......................................................................................................... 250
Appendix C - Messages and Indicators .................................................................................... 251
Calculation Error messages ...................................................................................................................... 251
Status bar indicator .................................................................................................................................... 251
Index............................................................................................................................................. 253
 User Guide SSC 2020

1 Introduction
Using SSC
It is assumed that you will be familiar with Microsoft Windows® applications and able to use the
typical processes employed in Windows products. In particular you should be comfortable using the
usual navigation facilities to move around the workspace, using your mouse or the keyboard, and
know how to use the Menu Bar to access the usual File, Window and Help options.
Familiarity with Windows Explorer, and how to expand and collapse branches of the Explorer Tree
structure, is also fundamental to the way in which SSC works.

Understanding SSC
SSC is a fresh approach to ship design assessment that provides significant savings in design time and
cost.
Using SSC, you no longer need to follow the design phase with the assessment phase. You enter
your data only once, although you can modify it at any time. The Special Service Craft Rules
assessment is fully automated. This means that you:

• increase the efficiency of your design process

• significantly reduce your workload SSC enables you to do the following:

• Verify compliance with Rule calculations for hull structures.

• Track down Rule failures.
• Rapidly identify areas of concern, and the design modifications that might be required.
SSC represents a major advance in design assessment systems because it integrates Rule
compliance of scantlings into your design process.

Using SSC is not a substitute for knowledge of the Special Service Craft Rules. Users should be aware
of the ideas behind the Rules and the limitations of the models implemented. We therefore
recommend you read the Special Service Craft Rules carefully and go into the program to see where
they are implemented.

Aims and Audience

The main aim of this User Guide is to provide step-by-step guidance in using SSC. You will find all
the information you need, from a guided tour of the application, to a detailed description of each
step. The information provided includes:

• hands-on experience
• tutorial examples
• hints and tips
• screenshots

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 User Guide SSC 2020

This guide provides the information you need to quickly gain confidence in using SSC to ensure
that your design meets the requirements of the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of
Special Service Craft.
We hope you enjoy reading your way through this guide - but please try to work through the
examples using SSC itself.

Remember that doing this is the easiest way to learn - and you will soon find SSC to be the most
effective tool to ensure Rules compliance from the start of the design process to the point where
plans are submitted for approval.
Our intention is that you should be able to use this guide to quickly and easily find out how to do
something in SSC and then go and do it. This User Guide does not cover marine engineering, IACS
Common Structural Rules or the Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Special Service Craft.

Document Conventions
The following standard conventions are used in this document:

Symbol What it highlights

Hints and tips

Where to go for help

Important information

Critical information

Screenshots included in this document show SSC with the following Theme settings:

Item Description

Theme Office 2003

Tab Position Bottom

Tab Look Office 2003

V isible Captions Selected

Software Conventions
The following standard conventions are used by SSC.

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 User Guide SSC 2020

SSC uses colour coding and text formatting extensively in order to identify features of significance or
concern.
For example, the text style and font colour of a value displayed in the SSC Properties table identify
the significance of the value. Different colours identify different cargo types. Colour shading or
cross-hatching identify the different types of space defined in the hull form.

Style Description

Black text - User-entered values, and label text such as row names and column headings,
are displayed in black.

Grey text - Calculated values that can be overridden are displayed in grey, with a small red
square or 'flag' in the bottom left-hand corner of the cell.

Style Description
Blue text - Calculated values that have been overridden are displayed in blue. You can
return to the calculated value by deleting your new value and pressing the Enter key or
clicking in a different cell.

Italic text - Calculated values that cannot be edited in the current Properties table.

Red text - Items with an error condition. This might be where user -entered values to not
meet required values for that property.

Notes can be added to an item to provide explanation or clarification. In this case a small
blue 'flag' is displayed in the top left-hand corner of the cell.

Red border - Values in the cell are currently being calculated.

Contents type are also defined by colour:

Different patterns of cross-hatch colour shading are used to identify non-connected spaces
containing the same type of content.

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 User Guide SSC 2020

2 Installing SSC
SSC is fully 32-bit compatible and is designed to run on machines which use the operating systems
MS-Windows® 2000, XP, XP Pro, Vista or 7.

SSC Minimum System Requirements

The performance of SSC benefits from fast, powerful computer hardware. A minimum
specification for the system is shown in the table below. However, you are recommended to use
the most powerful system available to you.
The SSC system requirements are based on the requirements of the supporting Lloyd's Register
applications.

Component Requirements

Computer 2.0GHz processor.

Windows® Microsoft® Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 (see note below).

Microsoft® Windows® Vista Business Edition.
Microsoft® Windows® 7.

Memory 1GB of RAM (2 GB recommended).

Disk space 200MB of available hard-disk space for installation.

Display 1,024x768 display (1,280x800 recommended).

Internet connection required for Online updates.

Note: SSC 2020.0 requires an installation of Microsoft's XML 6 library and the .NET 1.1 Framework, which is
installed during the installation of SSC software. However, if any issues are encountered during the
installation of these components, they can be downloaded directly from Microsoft using the following
link:

http://www.microsoft.com/download
s.

Installing SSC software

To download SSC
1. Go to http://lr.org/marine-software.
The following screen is displayed.

13
 User Guide SSC 2020

2. From the navigation panel, select SSC.

The following window is displayed.

3. From the displayed link on the SSC page, click Download.

The following window is displayed.

4. Click Run to install SSC.

The SSC Setup screen is displayed.

14
 User Guide SSC 2020

5. Click Next.

The following window is displayed.

6. Click the checkbox, I accept the terms of this Licence Agreement.

7. Click Install.
The following window is displayed.

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 User Guide SSC 2020

When the installation is complete the following window is displayed.

8. Click Finish.

To start SSC

1. To start SSC, do one of the following:

− On the desktop, double-click the SSC icon, .

− From the Start menu, select All Programs > Lloyd's Register > SSC.
2. If SSC was installed in another folder, select SSC from the installation folder.
The following window is displayed.

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 User Guide SSC 2020

Carrying out the Security Registration

To use SSC, a Licence is required from [email protected]. This Licence protects the software from
unauthorised use.

To Request a Licence

1. On the Licensing window, complete the data.

Fields marked * are mandatory, the Email Request button will not be activated until all required fields
are completed.

2. Click Email Request.

An e-mail window is opened and a message generated to the support team requesting a
licence for the software.
3. Click Send.
The support team will respond with a Licence via e-mail.

The Licence is computer specific. If the SSC installation is moved to a different computer a new Licence
key will need to be requested to use SSC.

To manually request a Licence

1. In the Licensing window, enter the data.

2. Click Save Request.
3. Select the location to save the file.

17
 User Guide SSC 2020

4. Generate an e-mail to [email protected] and attach the saved file.

To activate a Licence

1. Save the Licence file sent by the support team.

2. Open SSC.
3. On the Licensing window, click Activate Licence.
4. Locate the Licence file previously saved.

The following window is displayed.

5. Select and open the Licence file.

The software is now registered.

18
3 Getting Started with SSC
To open a project file

1. Open SSC.
The initial screen is displayed. Most of the toolbar buttons are greyed out because they are
enabled only when you have a project file open.
2. To open a project folder, do one of the following:

− From the File menu, select Open.

− On the Standard toolbar, click the Open button, .

The Open window is displayed.

The default installation route to SSC is: C:\Program Files (x86)\Lloyd's Register\SSC 2020.0.
If you have problems locating your SSC project files from the Open window, ask your support team for the
correct path. They may have installed SSC into a different folder from the default setup.

If you are familiar with Windows applications, you should be able to find your SSC projects by using the
Look in: function to access Windows Explorer and locate the appropriate folder.

3. In the Open window, navigate to the required folder.

In the Examples folder, there are a number of example projects that you can explore at your leisure.

4. To open a project file, do one of the following:

− Select the required project file and click Open.

− Double-click the project file.

The workspace opens, displaying the default layout.

The SSC workspace

When SSC is first installed, the workspace is displayed with the default layout. The workspace is
divided into four panes which each present different views of your project so that you can analyse
the design more easily:

• Project Explorer view

• Graphic view
• Properties view
• Property Details view
If required you can resize the window panes and rearrange the toolbars so that the screen is suited
to your own particular style of working.
SSC is very flexible and you will find that there are often several ways to accomplish your objectives.
You can use whichever method suits you best, but you will benefit from taking an organised
approach to your task. Elements of 'best practice' will be considered a little later when you have a
clearer idea of how SSC works.
 The Project Explorer, Graphic, Properties and Property Details views have context-sensitive tabs that
can be selected to display additional information. The views also display context sensitive toolbars,
providing tools to use in the respective views. These are described in more detail in the relevant
procedures.

Project Explorer view

When you open an existing project, or start a new project, the Project Explorer view displays the
items that make up the project. You can expand the Project Explorer hierarchy to show the various
branches that make up the Tree.
To access data relevant to specific elements of the vessel design, do one of the following:

• Expand the folders

• Select a folder to open the branch

Project Explorer structure

In SSC, the Project Explorer view has the following structure:
 The Global Loadings branch is only visible if Global Assessment is set to Yes in the Basic Data Properties
table.

The Project Explorer branches are described as follows.

Item Description

Details Contains items which describe the basic details of the project. The required
items are created in this branch by the New Project wizard. This branch also
contains calculations for the equipment requirements.

Loadings Contains items which describe the different loading conditions for which the craft
is to be assessed. As many loading conditions as required may be defined. The
program will always choose the most severe conditions for each structural item
being assessed.

Structure Contains items which describe the structural elements to be assessed, such as
deck structure, bottom shell, superstructure and pillars.

Materials Lists all the materials being used in the project.

Profiles Lists the stiffener profiles for steel, aluminium and/or composites being used in
a project. In addition, composite profiles are used in the definition of panel and
stiffener properties.

Machinery Contains items which describe the machinery elements to be assessed.

Transverse Sections Allows you to define midship or other transverse sections.

Global Loadings Contains items which describe the global hull strength requirements for steel,
aluminium alloys and composite craft respectively.

Hull Girder Strength Allows you to perform a Hull Girder Strength assessment.

Parents and Children

The SSC Project Explorer view uses the analogy of a family tree in which there are parent branches
or folders and sub-branches or sub-folders that are children of the parent.
 In SSC, sub-folders are usually described as children because they depend on the parent folder.
Similarly, parents may have ancestors or antecedents that provide some of the essential data that
enables them to complete a calculation.

Antecedents and Dependants

Using the family tree analogy, SSC uses the concept of antecedents and dependants when referring
to calculated results.
Frequently, when assessing compliance with the Special Service Craft Rules, a calculation is
dependant on the result of another calculation that has been carried out previously. The earlier
calculation is regarded as an antecedent.
The antecedent may have many dependants. Each dependant uses results supplied through input
to the antecedent, or calculated as a result derived from data entered into the antecedent branch
of the Tree.
You will see this in action when you look at the intermediate calculations and relationships that are
displayed to enable you to keep track of the calculation processes. You can use these to identify
the source of data input errors or to locate design errors in the original specifications.

To open the Project Explorer view

1. Open the required project.

This is the Project Explorer view as it appears when you first open a project in SSC.

A + symbol alongside a sub-folder indicates that the sub-folders contain more folders.

Various symbols such as check marks and crosses are displayed alongside items in the Tree view.
A detailed description of each symbol is given in Appendix B - Icons and symbols on page 247.

History view
The History view displays a list of items associated with the current project file and provides
the following:

• A list of items appearing in the historical order they were opened

 • The ability to retrace, in order, the steps followed from the time the project file was
opened
• The ability to review or amend any item listed

To view the History

1. In the Project Explorer view, click the History tab.

The History view is displayed listing the items opened.

If no items are listed in the History view, then items have not been previously opened in the Project
Explorer view.

2. Select an item in the list to view or edit details in the Graphic, Property Details and
Properties views.
3. Click the Project Explorer tab to return to the Project Explorer view.

Graphic view
The Graphic view displays diagrams and graphs associated with the item that is currently selected in
the Project Explorer view. This information is presented in a variety of formats, including:

• scale diagrams representing views of transverse sections, structures or profiles

• illustrative diagrams
• graphs

Transverse Section View

The Transverse Section View displays a proportionally correct drawing of the selected transverse
section of the vessel, derived from data entered either via the SSC Startup Wizard or manually.
In the Transverse Section View you can:

• zoom in to see magnified detail of the structure

• view labels that describe the different elements of the structure

• draw construction lines and panels

• edit panels, strakes and stiffeners
To view a Transverse Section

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Transverse Sections branch and select the required
transverse section.

2. In the Graphic view, look at the Transverse Section View.

The maximum extent of the transverse section displayed in the Graphic view is indicated in white on
the rulers at the top and port side of the view.

Neutral horizontal and vertical axes are indicated by a blue dashed-dotted line, delimited by N and
A.
All coordinates for structures defined in the Transverse Section View are taken from the centre of the keel.
The centreline, , is drawn at a value of Y = 0. For symmetrical sections, any panel lying entirely on
this line, or any global stiffener whose point of attachment is on this line, will only be included in the
calculation once.

Longitudinal View
The Longitudinal View shows the basic outline of the vessel's structure with measurements taken
from values entered into the Basic Data Properties table.

To view the Longitudinal View

1. In the Project Explorer view, select Details.

2. In the Graphic view, look at the Longitudinal View.

The maximum extent of the transverse section displayed in the Graphic view is indicated in white on
the rulers at the top and port side of the view.

The aft perpendicular, AP, forward perpendicular, FP, and Midship, , are indicated by blue dashed-dotted
lines.

The following basic details are included in the Longitudinal View.

By default these measurements are in metres. You can change the units by selecting a different
option from the drop-down list in the Units field of the Basic Data Properties table.

Item Description

Lr Rule Length - the distance on the summer load waterline from the forward side of the stem
to the after side of the rudder post or to the centre of the rudder stock if there is no rudder
post.
Lr is to be not less than 96 per cent, and need not be greater than 97 per cent, of the
extreme length on the summer load waterline. In craft without rudders, the Rule length,
Lr, is to be taken as 97 per cent of the extreme length on the summer load waterline. In
craft with unusual stem or stern arrangements the Rule length, Lr, will be specially
considered.
Lswl Summer Waterline Length - the distance on the summer load waterline from the forward
side of the stern to the after side of the stern or transom.

Item Description

Lpp Length Perpendiculars - the distance on the summer load waterline from the forward side
of the stem to the after side of the rudder post, or to the centre of the rudder stock if there
is no rudder post. In craft with unusual stern arrangements, the length, Lpp, will be specially
considered. The forward perpendicular, FP, is the perpendicular at the intersection of the
summer load waterline with the fore side of the stem. The after perpendicular, AP, is the
perpendicular at the intersection of the summer load waterline with the after side of the
rudder post or to the centre of the rudder stock for craft without a rudder post.
 T Summer Draught - the depth of water to which a hull can be immersed in a summer zone.

Framing View
The Framing View displays information about the transverse frames within the vessel's structure.

To view the Framing View

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Details branch and select Transverse Frame Spacing.

2. In the Graphic view, look at the Framing View.

The maximum extent of the transverse section displayed in the Graphic view is indicated in white on
the rulers at the top and port side of the view.

The aft perpendicular, AP, forward perpendicular, FP, and Midship, , are indicated by blue dashed-dotted
lines.
The frames are indicated by a line beneath the longitudinal schematic.

3. In the Properties view, click the Framing System tab.

4. Compare the location of the frames in the Framing View with the data entered in the
Framing Systems table.
Structure View
The Structure View shows a schematic representation of items that have been added to the
Structure branch in the Tree.

To view items in the Structure View

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Structure branch and select the required item.

2. In the Graphic view, look at the Structure View.

The maximum extent of the transverse section displayed in the Graphic view is indicated in white on
the rulers at the top and port side of the view.

The aft perpendicular, AP, forward perpendicular, FP, and Midship, , are indicated by blue dashed-dotted
lines.
The structure that is currently selected in the Tree view is show in green on the Structure View, for example
Superstructure. The selected item, within the structure, is shown in red, for example Front Window
(TSG).
 Vertical structures are shown by a vertical line, which indicates the distance forward of the aft perpendicular.
Horizontal structures are shown by a horizontal line, which indicates the height of the item from the
baseline. These measurements are taken from the Properties table for the relevant item.

3. Compare the location of the structure in the Structure View with the measurements provided in
the Structure Properties table:

− Height above Base (Displayed depending on the structure selected)

− Distance FWD of AP

Properties view
The Properties view displays tables that list the dimensions and specifications of the item currently
selected in the Project Explorer view or Graphic view. If the selected item has no properties
associated with it, the Properties view is empty.

Properties tables
Properties are displayed in a grid format, in which you can edit current data or enter new data.
Depending on the selected item, you may be able to view more than one page of data in the
Properties view. The different pages are accessed by tabs at the bottom of the Properties view.
SSC is a dynamic real-time system, the system recalculates the relevant values whenever you make
a change to the data. You can change user-defined values in tables or override calculated values at
any time. All dependent values are then recalculated when you press Enter, or move to a different
cell, after entering a new value.

Viewing a Properties table

1. To view a Properties table, do one of the following:

− Expand the Tree and select the required item.

 − In the Graphic view, select the required item.

In the Graphic view, selected items are highlighted in red.

2. In the Properties view, look at the Properties table.

Editing a calculated value in a Properties table

1. In the relevant Properties table, click the required cell to select it.
A black border outlines the selected cell.

Values in red are calculated by SSC. You can overwrite a value that has a red flag in the bottom left-
hand corner of the cell.

2. Highlight the entire entry.

3. Type in a new value to replace the calculated value.

4. To accept the new value and start the recalculation process, do one of the following:

− Press the Enter key.

− Click in a different cell.

− Press the keyboard Tab key.

− Press one of the up or down arrow keys.

The value you entered is shown in blue, as you have overwritten a calculated value with a
user-defined value.
 Take care to enter values in the appropriate units. The units for each item in the Properties table are
listed after the Property description.

Returning to a calculated value in a Properties table

1. To return to an original calculated value, click in the cell containing the overridden value.

2. Highlight the entire entry.

3. Press the Delete key to delete your overridden value.

4. To exit the cell, do one of the following:

− Press the Enter key.

− Click in a different cell.

− Press the keyboard Tab key.

− Press one of the up or down arrow keys.

When SSC has finished recalculating, the value in the cell returns to its previously calculated
value.
Setting Property table options

1. In the Properties view, from the Grid Properties toolbar, set the Properties table options using the
following for reference:

Button Description

Zoom In - Zooms into the Properties table.

Zoom Out - Zooms out of the Properties table.

Zoom Normal - Returns the Properties table to normal size.

Decimal Places - Click the down arrow and select the number of decimal places to be displayed in
the Properties table.

Button Description

Grid lines - Click the down arrow and select the Grid lines to be displayed:

All lines - Displays both Vertical and Horizontal Grid lines.

V ertical - Displays only Vertical Grid lines.
Horizontal - Displays only Horizontal Grid lines.
None - Displays no Grid lines.
 Tooltips - Click the down arrow and select the rule compliance option required.

% Rule - The Entered value meets x % of the Required value.

Rule Variance - The Entered value varies from the Required value by x.
% Rule Variance - The variance between the Entered and Required values is x % of the Required
value.

Filters - These restrict the fields displayed in the Properties tables. Click the down arrow to display
the Properties Filters menu.

Inputs - Fields for which you are able to input a value.

Outputs - Fields that display calculated values.
Required - All mandatory fields.
Defaults - Fields that still have their default values set.

Formatting in Properties tables

SSC uses colour coding and text formatting in order to identify features of significance or concern.
The following table illustrates this.

Style Description

Black text - User-entered values, and label text such as row names and column headings,
are displayed in black.

Style Description

Grey text - Calculated values that can be overridden are displayed in grey, with a small
red square or 'flag' in the bottom left-hand corner of the cell.

Blue text - Calculated values that have been overridden are displayed in blue. You can
return to the calculated value by deleting your new value and pressing the Enter key or
clicking in a different cell.

Italic text - Calculated values that cannot be edited in the current Properties table.

Red text - Items with an error condition.

 Notes can be added to an item to provide explanation or clarification. In this case a small
blue 'flag' is displayed in the top left-hand corner of the cell.

Red border - Values in the cell are currently being calculated.

Collapsing and expanding sub-sections in a Properties table

Some Properties tables contain a large number of items. In order to make them easier to work with,
these tables are divided into sub-sections. Each sub-section is displayed under a sub-heading, shown
in bold, with a or a symbol next to it.

• Click a sub-heading with a symbol to expand the sub-section and display the data under
the sub-heading.

• Click a sub-heading with a symbol to collapse the sub-section and display only the
subheading.

Property Details view

The Property Details view displays a number of pages that can be accessed by tabs at the bottom of
the view. These are:

• Intermediate Calcs
• Relationships
• Notes

Intermediate Calculations page

The Intermediate Calculations page displays a listing of the results of all the intermediate
calculations carried out to compute the final results displayed in the Properties table. This page
also provides a cross-reference to the relevant sections of the Special Service Craft Rules.

To view the Intermediate Calculations

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Transverse Sections branch and select the required
item.
 The Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.
2. In the Properties table, select the item you want to view the intermediate calculations for.

The Intermediate Calcs page is displayed in the Property Details view.

 The Intermediate Calcs page has a tree format with branches. You can expand or collapse the
branches by clicking the + or - symbols to show more or less detail as required.
The Reference column gives details of the Rule(s) relevant to the intermediate calculation.
SSC provides on-line access to the Special Service Craft Rules.

3. To view the relevant Rule, right-click the Reference you are interested in and, from the menu,
select Find Rule.
 The relevant Rule Reference is displayed.

For further information about Intermediate Calculation results and their use in identifying causes of
Rule Failures see Identifying Calculation Errors and Rule Failures on page 193.
A variety of symbols are used alongside each item on the Intermediate Calcs page to indicate the type
of result obtained. For further information see Intermediate Calculations symbols on page 200.

Relationships page
When a property field is selected in the Properties view, the Relationships page shows its
antecedents and dependents.

• Antecedents - items that supply the values used to calculate the value currently selected in
the Properties table.

• Dependants - items that depend on the value currently selected in the Properties table.
The ability to view antecedents and dependants is extremely valuable for tracking down
specification and data entry errors.

To view Relationships

1. In the Properties table, select the required Property.

 2. In the Property Details view, click the Relationships tab.

The Relationships page has a tree format with branches. You can expand or collapse the
branches by clicking on the + or - symbols to show more or less detail as required.

3. To view a particular antecedent or dependant item, right-click the item and from the menu,
select Show Item.

The item is selected in the Tree view and the relevant property is selected in the Properties
table in the Properties view.
There is no undo facility to take you back to the original item you selected.

For further information about Relationships and their use in identifying causes of Rule Failures see To
identify and correct Rule Failures on page 198.

Notes page
It is always good practice to annotate your work with explanatory notes. These notes can clarify
your entries for future reference, especially when there is a requirement to enter some unusual
data or a non-standard specification.
 The notes can be particularly valuable to you and your colleagues if you need to understand a
nonstandard entry at some date in the future. They are printed out in the SSC reports, providing
useful explanatory detail.
On the Notes page of the Property Details view, you can write, view, or edit notes that have been
added for descriptive or clarification purposes.

To attach a Note to a Properties field

1. In the Properties view, select the field in the Properties table to which you want to add a
note.
2. In the Property Details view, click the Notes tab.

3. In the entry field, enter your note.

4. To save the note, click in a different cell.

To attach a Note to a Project Explorer view item

1. In the Project Explorer view, select the item you require.

2. In the Property Details view, click the Notes tab.

3. In the entry field, enter your note.

 4. To save the note, click a different Project Explorer item
Whenever you select the item in the Project Explorer view, the note is displayed in the Property
Details view.

To format a Note

1. In the Property Details view, highlight the note text to be formatted.

2. Format the text, using the following table for reference.

Button Description
 Font - Displays the font that will be applied to text. Clicking on the down arrow enables
you to select a different font.

Font size - Displays the size of the text. Clicking on the down arrow enables you to select
a different size.

Bold - Applies Bold style to text.

Italic - Applies Italic style to text.

Underline - Applies an underline to text.

Colour - Displays the colour palette enabling you to change the font colour.

Numbering - Applies numbering to text.

Bullets - Applies bullets to text.

Decrease Indent - Decreases the indent of text.

Increase Indent - Increases the indent of text.

Align Left - Aligns text to the left.

Center - Centres the text.

Align Right - Aligns text to the right.

To delete a Note

1. In the Property Details view, highlight all the note text.

2. Press the Delete key on your keyboard.

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4 Controlling the view arrangement

This section explains how you can customise the screen display to suit your own preferences when
working with SSC.
It explains how to:

• customise toolbars
• show and hide individual toolbars

• change the appearance of the SSC window

• resize the views
• rearrange the views
• dock or undock the views

You may need to use the vertical and horizontal scroll bars to view information that lies outside the view
provided.

In this section you will see how to resize the panes in the workspace window to view your data
more conveniently.

SSC toolbars
When there are no projects open the following menu and toolbar is displayed. Most of the toolbar
buttons are unavailable and are shown as greyed out. The toolbar buttons are enabled only when
you can use them to perform an action that is relevant to the current activity.

All the toolbars are automatically enabled by SSC and are displayed in the relevant pane in the SSC
window. You can move toolbars around, choose which toolbars to display, customise and create the
content of new and existing toolbars.

For more information on the SSC toolbars see Appendix A - SSC toolbars on page 235.

To customise toolbars

1. Select the required toolbar and right-click to display the toolbar menu.

2. Select Customize.

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The Customize window is displayed with the Toolbars tab active.

The toolbars displayed in the current pane are enabled in the Toolbars list.
3. Select the toolbar to customise.
4. Click the Commands tab.
The Customize > Commands window is displayed.

5. Select the category to customise.

6. From the Commands list, drag the command to a toolbar.
7. When complete, click Close.
SSC automatically saves the customised toolbars when the application is closed.

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To hide toolbars

1. In the SSC workspace, right-click in a blank area of the toolbar that you wish to hide.
The toolbar menu is displayed:

2. Clear the enabled check box to hide a toolbar.

The toolbar is no longer displayed.
3. Enable the check box to display a toolbar.

Changing the Appearance

The SSC workspace can be modified to display additional views and information.

Visible Captions
To display the title bar for the panes in the SSC window:
1. From the menu bar, click View.
2. Click Layout and select Visible Captions.

Resizing views

You can adjust the size of the panes in the workspace so that you can see the data more easily.
When the workspace opens, four views are displayed. Typically, you will want to:
• enlarge the Properties view to see the full extent of a Properties table

• enlarge the Property Details view to see the full extent of the intermediate calculations
• enlarge the Graphic view to have a better view of the transverse section

To resize views

1. Position the cursor on the horizontal separator bar between the views you want to resize.

When it is positioned on a horizontal separator, the resizing cursor looks like this: .

2. Hold down the mouse button and drag the cursor to the required position.
3. Position the cursor on the vertical separator bar between the views you want to resize.

When it is positioned on a vertical separator, the resizing cursor looks like this: .

4. Hold down the mouse button and drag the cursor to the required position.
The top two views in the workspace can be sized independently of the bottom two views.
5. Change the views back to their original size by dragging the vertical and horizontal
separator bars back to their original positions.

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Organising the Project Explorer view

It is good practice to keep the Project Explorer structure organised in a logical manner and to group
like structures together.
This section explains how to:

• Move items up the Project Explorer

• Move items down the Project Explorer

• Delete items from the Project Explorer

To rename Project Explorer view items

1. To rename an item, do one of the following:

− Select the item, then press F2.

− Right-click the item, then from the menu, select Rename Item.
2. Type a new name for the item and press Return.

To move items up the Project Explorer

1. In the Project Explorer view, select the item you want to move.

2. On the Tree toolbar, click the Promote button, .

The selected item moves up one position in the Project Explorer each time you click the
Promote button.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until all similar items are grouped together in the Project Explorer.

You can also promote items by clicking and holding down the left mouse button and dragging the item
up the Project Explorer.

To move items down the Project Explorer

1. In the Project Explorer view, select the item you want to move.

2. On the Tree toolbar, click the Demote button, .

The selected item moves down one position in the Project Explorer each time you click the
Demote button.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until all similar items are grouped together in the Project Explorer.

You can also demote items by clicking and holding down the left mouse button and dragging the item
down the Project Explorer.

To delete items from the Project Explorer

1. In the Project Explorer view, select the item you want to delete.
2. To delete the item, do one of the following:

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− Right-click the item and from the menu, select Delete Item.

− Press the Delete button on the keyboard.

− On the Tree toolbar, click the Delete Item button, .

The item is deleted from the Project Explorer and SSC recalculates the resulting values.

Not all items can be deleted from the Project Explorer.

SSC and Project files

Multiple instances of the SSC application can be opened, but only one project file can be viewed at
the any one time in the same session. It is not possible to have multiple project files open at the
same time.

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5 Getting Help
SSC has two main sources of help available, both in HTML format:

• The Special Service Craft Rules

• Online system help

Using the Special Service Craft Rules

The Lloyd's Register Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Special Service Craft are installed
with the SSC software and are viewed in HTML.
The Special Service Craft Rules can be accessed directly from the Help menu of the SSC application
and can be searched by: • Text Search

• Rule Reference

If you know the Part and Chapter references in the Special Service Craft Rules you can select the Rule
Reference option.

To search the Rules using Text Search

1. From the Help menu, select Search Rules > Text Search.

The HTML version of the Special Service Craft Rules is displayed.

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In the Text box on the Search tab, enter the word(s) you want to search for in the Rules
documentation.

3. Click List Topics.

SSC returns a list of References containing your search criteria.

Select a different search criteria by enabling a check box at the bottom of the Search panel:
• Search previous results
• Match similar words (default criteria)
• Search titles only

4. Double-click a topic from the list of results.

The Reference is displayed in the right-hand panel of the window.

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To search the Rules using a Rule Reference

1. From the Help menu, select Search Rules > Rule Reference.

2. Enter Part, Chapter and Section numbers in the Search Rules window.

3. Click OK.
The HTML version of the Special Service Craft Rules is displayed.

To view the Rules for a specific item

1. In the Project Explorer view, select the required item.

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2. In the Properties table, click the required field.

3. In the Property Details view, click the Intermediate Calcs tab.

The Intermediate Calcs page is displayed.

For further information about the Intermediate Calcs page, see Intermediate Calculations page on
page 34.

4. On the Intermediate Calcs tab, right-click the required Reference and from the menu select
Find Rule.

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An HTML page containing the relevant Rule is displayed.

Using the online SSC User Guide

SSC provides you with the User Guide in HTML format. The online help can be accessed directly
from the Help menu. You can view the contents of the User Guide or search for specific items
using key words.

To view online help contents

1. From the Help menu, select Index.

The online help is displayed.

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2. To access the contents, select a heading in the left-hand pane of the help window.
The selected contents are displayed in the right-hand pane of the help window.

To search the online help using key words

1. From the Help menu, select Search.

The online help is displayed.

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2. In the Type in the word(s) to search for field, enter a key word.
3. Click List Topics.
A list of topics containing the key word are displayed in the left-hand pane of the help
window.

4. Select a topic from the list.

5. Click Display.
The selected topic is displayed in the right-hand pane of the help window, with the key word
highlighted.

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6 Creating a project with the SSC Start Wizard

This section takes you step-by-step through the process of creating a new project using the SSC Start
Wizard.
It covers the following topics:

• The basic concept of the SSC project

• Why you are recommended to create projects using the SSC Start Wizard • Entering data

Working with SSC projects

SSC projects can be regarded as being similar to workbooks in a spreadsheet application such as MS
Excel™, or a related series of documents in a word-processor application such as MS Word™. A
project contains the majority of the data required to define a ship that is being designed to conform
to the Special Service Craft Rules.
SSC provides a dynamic database which recalculates all affected values immediately, in real-time,
whenever you make changes to the data. Therefore you are always looking at the current state of
the project.

Using the SSC Start Wizard

When starting a new project, you are recommended to use the SSC Start Wizard.
Not only is the SSC Start Wizard a convenient and helpful 'time-saver', it also ensures that you enter
the essential basic data when you begin a new project. This also helps in protecting against initial
entry errors.
SSC allows you to modify data at any time, if required by changes in the project. For example, all
the required data may not be available when you begin your SSC project. You can add data as it
becomes available or change it whenever modifications are required.
The SSC Start Wizard consists of a series of steps, each one in its own window. This section guides you
through each step of the SSC Start Wizard.

SSC Start Wizard - Navigation panel

The SSC Start Wizard window displays a left-hand navigation panel in addition to the data fields to be
entered.
On opening, the SSC Start Wizard lists each step of the Wizard and these are unavailable as no data
has been entered. Items on the navigation panel become available when data is entered in each
step of the Wizard. Once an item becomes active, this can then be selected to view previously
entered data.

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To start the SSC Start Wizard

1. From the File menu, select New > New Project.

The SSC Start Wizard is displayed.

Alternatively, on the Standard toolbar, click the New button, . This takes you straight to the SSC Start
Wizard.

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To enter Classification Requirements

1. Enter the Classification Requirements into the SSC Start Wizard.

The following table describes the fields in Classification Requirements.

Field Name Description

Project Title The name of the project. The input in this field is for information only.

Craft Type Notation • Catamaran

• Hydrofoil
• Mono
• Multi
• RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat)
• SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull Ship)

Service Area Notation G1 - G6.

For craft built to Rules on or after 1st July 2012, an additional Service Area
Notation will be displayed, G2A. This covers craft intended for service in
reasonable weather, in waters where the range to refuge is 60 nautical
miles or less.

For further information see the Lloyd's Register Rules and

Regulations for the Classification of Special Service Craft.

Field Name Description

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Service Type Notation • Cargo (A)

• Cargo (B)
• Passenger
• Passenger (A)
• Passenger (B)
• Patrol
• Pilot
• Workboat
• Yacht
• Yacht (P) - Existing yachts classed as Yacht (P) under the July
1996 to July 2007 SSC Rules. Yachts built to Rules after July
2007 should use the notation Yacht.
• (Yacht(S)) - For yachts built to Rules on or after 1st July 2012,
with a load line length of 24m and with a gross tonnage of less
than 3000.

Superstructure Material • Aluminium

• Composite
• Steel
The input in this field is for information only.

Hull Material • Aluminium

• Composite
• Steel
The input in this field is for information only.

Main Builder The name of the main builder responsible for the craft. The input in this
field is for information only.

Yard Number The Yard Number. The input in this field is for information only.

LR Number The Lloyd's Register Registration number. The input in this field is for
information only.

For definitions, see Part 1, Chapter 2, Section 2 of the Special Service Craft Rules.

2. Do one of the following:

− From the navigation panel, click Hull Information.

− Click Next.
The Hull Information window is displayed.

To enter Hull Information

1. Enter the Hull Information (at Summer Load Waterline).

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The Hull Information step of the Wizard has required fields marked *. The default for these fields is
zero and until a value is entered in all required fields, the Next button is not available.

The following table describes the fields in Hull Information.

Field Name Description

Length Overall The distance, measured parallel to the static load waterline from the
foreside of the stem to the after side of the stern or transom, excluding
rubbing strakes and other projections.

Length Perpendiculars The distance on the summer load waterline from the forward side of the
stem to the after side of the rudder post, or to the centre of the rudder
stock if there is no rudder post.

Summer Waterline Length The length of the waterline to which a ship can be loaded in summer,
indicated in the freeboard markings.

Rule Length The distance on the summer load waterline from the forward side of the
stem to the after side of the rudder post or to the centre of the rudder
stock if there is no rudder post.

Lr is to be not less than 96 per cent, and need not be greater than 97
per cent, of the extreme length on the summer load waterline. In craft
without rudders, the Rule length, Lr, is to be taken as 97 per cent of the
extreme length on the summer load waterline. In craft with unusual
stem or stern arrangements the Rule length, Lr, will be specially
considered.
Depth Moulded depth is the greatest depth of the ship. The depth is measured
at the middle of the length from top of keel to top of the deck beam at
side on the uppermost continuous deck or as elsewhere defined in the
appropriate chapters of the Special Service Craft Rules.

Sum of Hull Breadths The sum of greatest breadth of the hulls.

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Summer Draught The depth of water to which a hull can be immersed in a summer zone.

Field Name Description

Maximum Speed The speed achieved at the maximum continuous power for which the
craft is certified, at maximum weight and in smooth water.

Moulded Displacement Mass The moulded displacement of the ship at summer draught.

Water Density The density for fresh or salt water should be used for the appropriate
loading condition.

Block Coefficient The moulded block coefficient corresponding to the summer load
waterline based on Rule length and moulded breadth.

Sailing Yacht Enable check box if craft is a sailing yacht.

If you enable the Sailing Yacht check box, the item Rig Loading Conditions is added under Global Loadings, if you
choose to carry out Global Assessment.

2. Do one of the following:

− From the navigation panel, click Additional Data.

− Click Next.
The data entered is validated and depending on the data entered, one of the following is displayed.
Use the table for reference.
If ... Do the following ...

The Additional Data step of the Wizard is displayed. Complete the data.

For further information see To enter Additional Data

on page 63.

The following error message: If one or more of the values falls outside the acceptable
criteria, the error message is displayed. The items are listed
with the current value and an indication of the valid range.

1. Click OK.
The message window closes and the Hull Information step of
the Wizard is displayed. The cursor moves to the first item
listed in the error message.

2. Enter the correct data required.

3. When complete, do one of the following:

• From the navigation panel, click Additional
Data.

• Click Next.

Taylor's Quotient is calculated as follows:

Taylor' s _ Quotient = Maximum _ Speed / Summer _ Waterline _ Length

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Where maximum speed is in knots and summer waterline length is in metres. The range of Taylor's
Quotient is 0-10.8.

To enter Additional Data

1. Enter the Additional Data.

The following table describes the fields in Additional Data.

Field Name Description

Craft has chines Indicates in the model whether the vessel has hard chines.

Breadth between chines The breadth of hull, in metres, between points that are defined by drawing a
tangential line at 50o to the horizontal to the bilge.

Deadrise angle For craft with no clearly defined deadrise angle at the LCG, the angle, in
degrees, to the horizontal of the line at the LCG formed by joining the lowest
point of the hull or underside of keel and the bilge tangential point is to be
taken as the deadrise angle.
For craft with hulls of asymmetric section, where the inner and outer
deadrise angles differ, the smaller of the two angles is to be used.

For craft with fully submerged hull with circular sections, the deadrise angle is
to be taken as 30o.

Side Shell Deadrise Angle at This data will be inserted into the Details > Additional Data branch of the Tree.
0.75Lwl

Bottom Deadrise Angle at This data will be inserted into the Details > Additional Data branch of the Tree.
0.75Lwl

Support girth The girth distance, in metres, measured around the circumference of the shell
plate between the tangential points or chines, as appropriate, of the hull for
a mono-hull craft. For multi-hull craft it is to be taken between the inner and
outer bilge tangential points or chines of the individual hulls.

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2. Click Finish.
The SSC Start Wizard closes and the Properties tables for the project are updated.

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7 Saving Projects and Closing SSC

This section covers the following topics:

• Saving your project for the first time.

• The AutoRecover feature.
• Quitting SSC.

To save your project for the first time

1. To save a new project, do one of the following:

− From the File menu, select Save As.

− On the Standard toolbar, click the Save button, .

The Save As window opens so that you can enter a unique name for the project.
SSC uses a normal Windows Save As window with familiar functionality.

By default, project files are saved into the parent SSC 2020.0 folder. However, you can change the
drive and directory to which the project is saved by setting up a new folder, or by selecting from the
Save in drop-down list.

2. In the File name field, enter a suitable project name.

Give your project a unique identifiable name that follows the naming conventions adopted by your
organisation.

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The file extension is added by default.

3. Click Save.

Always use Save As when saving an existing project to a new location or under a different name. If you
have not previously saved the project, the Save As window opens automatically.

Using Auto Recovery

The Auto Recovery feature of SSC saves your project files as you are working on them. It allows you
to recover open project files if your computer or SSC crashes, or if there is a power failure. This
section explains how to:

• change the frequency at which projects are saved

• recover project files after a crash

To change the Auto Recovery frequency

By default, Auto Recovery is always switched on and your projects are saved every 10 minutes. If required,
you can change the frequency at which projects are saved.
1. From the Tools menu, select Options.

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The Options Wizard, General Options window is displayed.

2. Ensure that the Save Auto Recovery every nn minutes check box is enabled.
3. In the minutes field, do one of the following:

− Click the up arrow to increase the time between automatic saves.

− Click the down arrow to decrease the time between automatic saves.

− Type a value in the field.

If you switch off the Auto Recovery feature and your computer or SSC crashes, or there is a power failure,
you will lose all work that you have not saved manually. You are strongly recommended to keep the
Auto Recovery feature active at all times.

To recover project files

If you have Auto Recovery switched on and SSC crashes, you can recover all the project files you
have saved. The files are recovered in the state in which they were last saved. This ensures that
you lose only the work done on a project since it was last saved.
1. Reopen SSC after it has crashed.
The AutoRecover window is displayed.

2. Select the project files you want to keep.

3. Click OK.

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To close projects and quit SSC

1. To close the application, do one of the following:

− from the File menu, select Exit.

− click the Close button, , in the top right-hand corner of the window.
This automatically closes the open project and SSC.
2. If a project contains changes that have not been saved, SSC prompts you to save changes before
closing:

If you have not yet named a project, when you select the Yes option, the Save As window opens
to enable you to enter an appropriate name of your choice.

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8 Entering data in the Details branch

The Details branch defines most of the general data for the ship being modelled.

To enter data for a new project in the Details branch

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Details branch.

When the Details branch is expanded a number of items are displayed.

2. Select the required item in the Details branch, for example Basic Data.

The Properties table is displayed in the Properties view, ready for data entry.

symbol beside certain branches indicates that some data in these folders contains
calculation errors. This is because there is data missing from this or another branch. You will need to
enter this at a later stage.

Basic Data
Much of the data required in the Basic Data branch has already been entered from the SSC Start Wizard.
However, some items may need to be updated or altered later.
You can access the Properties tables from the Project Explorer view to review or amend the existing data
or input new data as required.

To enter Basic Data

1. In the Project Explorer view, select Basic Data.

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The Basic Data Properties table is displayed.

2. Edit the data in the Basic Data Properties table as required.

3. If an assessment of Global Loadings is required, from the Global Assessment drop-down list, select
Yes.
A new branch called Global Loadings is added to the Tree.

4. If the craft is a sailing yacht, from the Sailing Yacht drop-down list, select Yes.

Classification Data
Much of the data required in the Classification Data branch has already been entered from the SSC Start
Wizard. However, some items may need to be updated or altered later.
You can access the Properties tables from the Project Explorer view to review or amend the existing data,
or enter new data as required.

To enter Classification data

1. In the Project Explorer view, select Classification.

The Classification Properties table is displayed.

HSC compliant - High speed craft notation

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LDC compliant - Light displacement craft notation

Planing is set automatically to Yes or No according to whether the Taylor Quotient is greater than or less than
3.0. The Taylor Quotient is calculated from the speed of the boat and its length.

2. Edit the data in the Classification Properties table as required.

Craft data
Much of the data required in the Craft branch has already been entered from the SSC Start Wizard.
However, some items may need to be updated or altered later.
You can access the Properties tables from the Project Explorer view to review or amend the existing data,
or input new data, as required.

The entries in the Craft Properties table are for identification purposes only.

To enter Craft data

1. In the Project Explorer view, select Craft.

The Craft Properties table is displayed.

2. Edit the data in the Craft Properties table as required.

Additional Data
The data required in the Additional Data branch may not have been entered from the SSC Start Wizard.
You can access the Properties tables from the Project Explorer view to input new data, as required.

To enter Additional Data

1. In the Project Explorer view, select Additional Data.

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The Additional Data Properties table is displayed.

2. Edit the data in the Additional Data Properties table as required.

Transverse Frame Spacing data

None of the data required in the Transverse Framing Regions branch has been entered from the SSC
Start Wizard. You can access the Properties tables from the Project Explorer view to input new data,
as required.
This section is relevant only if you decide to define your ship structure in the Transverse Section
View. You can define the Frame Spacing before you begin to model the transverse sections. This
enables SSC to generate primary web spacing automatically at given locations along the length of
the ship.

To enter Transverse Frame Spacing data

1. In the Project Explorer view, select Transverse Frame Spacing.

The Transverse Frame Spacing Properties table is displayed.

2. If your design specifies that frame numbers start at the Forward Perpendicular, enable the Reverse
framing? check box.
3. Enter the Location of first frame from AP.
If the frame is aft of the Aft Perpendicular, enter a negative number.
4. Enter the number used to identify the first frame in your design.
The default is 0, but you might want to start numbering from 1.
5. Click the Framing System tab.

The Framing system table is displayed in the Properties view.

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Initially the table has one row of data, but you can add additional rows to define variations in frame
spacing.

To insert a row in a Properties table, first select a row in the table.

Click the down arrow next to the Insert button, , and from the menu, select whether additional rows are
inserted before or after the selected row.

The new row is added to the table.

6. Enter the following data for each row that you insert:

− Frame Spacing (mm)

− End Frame #
SSC calculates the next Start Frame number and the position of the End Frame forward of AP (m).
The final value for End Frame # is always calculated.

You must complete Frame Spacing for the entire length of the ship between the perpendiculars, as this
is used to calculate the entire Primary Web Spacing for the sections defined.

7. In the Graphic view, look at the Framing View.

Anchoring and Mooring data

The Anchoring and Mooring data is not mandatory for the software, but can be added as an optional
extra. However, details of anchoring and mooring equipment are required to be submitted for
classification of the craft.

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To enter Anchoring and Mooring data

1. In the Project Explorer view, right-click Details and from the menu select Insert Item > Anchoring
and Mooring.

An Anchoring and Mooring item is added to the Details branch of the Project Explorer.
2. Expand Anchoring and Mooring.

3. Right-click Anchoring and Mooring and from the menu select Insert Item > Anchors.
Each item in the Anchoring and Mooring branch has its own Properties table.
Where the Service Type is set to Yacht, to meet the Rule requirements for Required Anchor
Mass Rules for Yachts, two anchors can be defined in the Anchoring and Mooring branch of
the Tree.

For further information see Special Service Craft Rules Pt.3, Ch.5, 5.1.6.

4. Select Anchors.
The following Properties table is displayed.

5. Enter the data, using the following table for reference.

Property Description

Anchor Type From the drop-down list, select the type of Anchor
required.

Property Description

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Mass of Anchor The Required field is automatically calculated. This is

based on the Rule type selected in the Anchor mass
rules to be applied field.

For further information, click in the Required field

and view the Intermediate Calculations.

Testing For Class Required Depending on the type of anchor selected, the field will
display either Yes or No.

Yes, requires the anchor to be tested for satisfactory

strength and performance tests. Identification or
anchors which have been tested is to be in accordance
with Pt.2, Ch.10.1.4.

Proof Load The proof load of an anchor, in kN.

6. To define a second anchor, repeat Steps 3 to 5.

7. Expand Anchors.

To enter Cables, Chains and Ropes data

As yachts can have two anchors, the anchor cables must know which anchor they are attached to,
so that the relevant anchor mass values are used while calculating the required values for the cable
or rope under consideration.
1. In the Tree view, select Anchor Cable.

2. Right-click Anchor Cable and from the menu, select Insert Item, select one of the following:

− Chain cable

− Wire Rope

− Fibre Rope

The use of fibre or wire rope in lieu of chain cable is not always permitted. Where wire or fibre rope
is used there should be a length of chain fitted to the anchor. It is required to be no less than 9
metres. For further information see the Special Service Craft Rules, Pt.3, Chp5, 6.4.1(a).

3. Enter the data in the Properties tables as required.

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The Intermediate Calculations tab displays the information used to determine why a rope type may or
may not be acceptable.

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9 Using Resources
In order to carry out calculations, SSC requires material and stiffener profile properties to be
defined in the model. You add the materials and profiles to their respective branches in the Tree,
either by inserting them in the Tree view, or by using the Material and Profile Library.
Adding these at the beginning of the modelling process makes it easy to select the material and stiffener
profiles in the Properties tables, when required.
You can also add items as and when needed, or if there are changes to the design.
This section explains how to:

• define custom materials and profiles

• create a customised Resource Project file that contains your own library of the materials and profiles
that you regularly use

Viewing Materials and Profiles

To view Materials

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Materials branch and select the required material.

symbol indicates that the material cannot be edited because it is an item from the standard Library. This
ensures the validity of the standard specification.

2. In the Properties view, look at the Material Properties table.

The Materials Properties table lists the properties for the material and the Display colour that is
used in the Graphic view.

You can create user-defined materials and add them later if required. For further information see Defining
custom Materials and Profiles on page 83.

3. In the Graphic view, look at the transverse section.

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The selected material is highlighted with the appropriate Display colour.

The transverse section is only visible in the Graphic view if you have selected it in the Project Explorer view,
prior to selecting the material from the Materials branch.

4. To view all of the materials used in a transverse section, in the Project Explorer view, expand the
Transverse Sections branch, then select the required item.

5. On the Midship Editor toolbar, click the Colour Structure button, , and from the menu, select
Show Material.

The Materials window opens, showing the colour code allocated to each type of material in the
model.

6. In the Graphic view, look at the transverse section.

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Each structure is displayed in the colour of its allocated material.

To view Profiles

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Profiles branch and select the required profile.

symbol indicates that the material cannot be edited because it is an item from the standard Library. This
ensures the validity of the standard specification.

The following icons indicate the profile type:

Icon Profile
Built L

Built T

Composite

Flat Bar

Rolled Bulb EN 10067

2. In the Properties view, look at the Profile Properties table.

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The Profile Properties table lists the properties for the profile.

3. In the Graphic view, look at the diagram of the profile.

The Profile diagram is proportional and shows the dimensions of the selected profile.

You can create user-defined profiles and add them later if required. For further information see Defining
custom Materials and Profiles on page 83.

When you define a new profile it is possible to edit the profile dimensions in the Graphic view. For further
information see To modify Profile dimensions in the Graphic view on page 88.

Materials and Profiles Library

SSC includes a comprehensive Library of industry standard materials and profiles. This Library contains
validated property definitions that can be readily used in any of your projects.

All values in the Library are standard values. It is the responsibility of the shipyard to ensure that the actual
materials and profiles used comply with the assumed properties.

Locked Items
Items that are added to a SSC model from the Library are locked, preventing you from changing their
properties. This reduces the need to validate standard materials and profiles.
Locked items are identified in the Project Explorer view by a key icon, .

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An easy way to create a new Material or Profile is to copy a locked item from the Library, then edit it. For
further information see To copy items from the Library on page 82.

Duplicate Library Items

SSC does not allow multiple copies of an item from the Library to exist in the same project. This avoids
confusion by preventing you from inadvertently adding two or more copies of a Material or Profile.

To select items from the Library

1. To display the Library window, do one of the following:

− Press the F8 key

− From the Tools menu, select Library

2. On the Library toolbar, click the Display Library button, .

The Materials window is displayed.

The window has a navigation panel:

− Materials

− Profiles
3. Select the materials and profiles you require in your project using the following table for reference.

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To select… Do the following…

Individual items from a list 1. Hold down the Ctrl key and click each item you require.

2.
Click the Select button, .

A series of items that are in 1.

Click the first item in the sequence to select it.
sequence in the list
2. Hold down the Shift key and click the last item in the series.

3.
Click the Select button, .

An entire category of 1. Select the category in the Library.

items For example, click Corus profiles or Steel materials.

2.
Click the Select button, .
This selects all the items in the group.
OK.select multiple groups, you can repeat this process before you click
To

To deselect items from the Library

1. In the Library window, click the unwanted item in the Selected box.

2. Click the Deselect button, .

The item is removed from the Selected box.

If you have inadvertently added an item to a project, select the item in the Project Explorer view and
use the Delete key or the Delete button, , to remove it. You can also use the selection method
described in To select items from the Library to delete more than one item at a time.

To copy items from the Library

1. In the Project Explorer view, select the Library item to be copied, then do one of the following:

− Right-click the selected item and from the menu, select Copy.

− From the Edit menu, select Copy.

− Use the keyboard shortcut, Ctrl+C.

2. To paste the copy into the Project Explorer view, do one of the following:

− From the right-click menu, select Paste.

− From the Edit menu, select Paste.

− Use the keyboard shortcut, Ctrl+V.

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An editable copy of the item is added to the end of the branch.

The copy is identical to the original, except for the string #<CopyNumber> appended to the name.
3. Rename the copied item.

To rename an item, do one of the following:

• Select the item, then press F2.
• Right-click the item, then from the menu, select Rename Item.
Type a new name for the item and press Return.

4. Edit the copy of the Library item as required.

Defining custom Materials and Profiles

In addition to the supplied Library of materials and profiles, you can define your own materials and
profiles if they are not available from the Library.
You can define new materials and profiles in one of two ways:
• Inserting a new item into the Project Explorer

• Copying an existing item in the Project Explorer

You can then amend the properties of the new material or profile in the Properties table. For Profiles
you can also modify the dimensions directly in the Graphic view.

Defining a new Material

You can define a new material in one of two ways:

• insert a new material in the Project Explorer view

• duplicate an existing material and modify it.

To define a new Material

1. To insert a new Material in the Project Explorer view:

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− Right-click Materials and select Insert Item, then the required material type.

There are four material types available:

− Aluminium

− Composite Materials

− Machinery Materials

− Steel

When defining Steel as a new material, it is possible to enter in the Properties table, values to create Steel
with the attributes of Stainless Steel.

The new material is added at the end of the Materials branch.

If you are defining Composite Materials or Machinery Materials, you will need to add further items
to the Tree in order to enter their properties.

For further information about Composite Materials, see:

• To define a core for a composite schedule on page 89
• To define a fibre for a composite schedule on page 91

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To duplicate a Material

1. To duplicate a material in the Project Explorer view:

− Select the material you want to duplicate.

− Use Copy and Paste to create a copy of the Material.

A copy of the material is added at the end of the material type sub folder with a suffix #<Copy
number>.

2. In the Project Explorer view, click the new item.

The Materials Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.
3. In the Materials Properties table, enter the attributes that define the material.

4. If required, change the display colour of the material by clicking the down arrow, , in the Display
colour field and selecting the required colour from the colour palette.

If none of the standard colours are suitable, you can click the Other button to see a standard
Windows colour palette that allows you to create your own customised colours.
The default display colour of the material depends on the value specified for Higher tensile steel
factor - kL, as indicated in the table.

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Default Colour Higher tensile steel factor - kL

Purple 0.000-0.680

Blue 0.680-0.720

Green 0.720-0.780

Yellow 0.780-0.920

Orange 0.920-1.000

Red >1.000

5. In the Project Explorer view, rename the material.

To define a new Profile

You can define a new Profile, in one of two ways,

• insert a new Profile in the Project Explorer view

• duplicate an existing Profile and modify it
1. To insert a new Profile in the Project Explorer view:

− Right-click Profiles and select Insert Item, then the required profile type.

The profile types available are:

− Composite Profiles
− Flat bar

− Built T

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− Built L

− Rolled Bulb EN 10067

The new profile is added at the end of the profile type folder.

2. To duplicate a Profile in the Project Explorer view:

− Select the Profile you want to duplicate.

− Use Copy and Paste to create a copy of the Profile.

A copy of the Profile is added at the end of the branch with a suffix #<Copy number>.

3. In the Project Explorer view, select the newly created Profile.

The Profile Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

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4. In the Profile Properties table, enter the specification data that will define the new profile.

The following attributes are user-defined, but are not required to be completed:
• Thickness of attached plating, tp
• Width of attached plating, bp
SSC uses these values to calculate the modulus of the stiffener with the user-defined plating attached. This is
given for information purposes only; this modulus value is not used elsewhere in the program.

5. In the Project Explorer view, rename the item.

To modify Profile dimensions in the Graphic view

1. In the Project Explorer view, select the profile you want to modify.

A schematic representation of the profile is displayed in the Graphic view.

2. In the Graphic view, select the dimension you want to edit.

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3. Overtype the highlighted value.

4. To update the dimension, do one of the following:

− press Enter

− click out of the field

The dimension is recalculated and the profile is redrawn to display the new dimension.

5. If necessary, rename the modified profile.

Composite schedules

In SSC, composite schedules are defined in the Profiles branch of the Project Explorer. Before a schedule
can be defined, you must enter the basic properties of each individual layer, or ply, in the Materials
branch. Once the materials have been specified you can use them to create schedules for both
composite panels and stiffeners.

To define a core for a composite schedule

1. In the Project Explorer view, right-click Materials and from the menu select Insert Item > Composite
Materials.

A new Composite Materials item is inserted into the Materials branch of the Tree.

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2. Right-click Composite Materials and from the menu select Insert Item > Core.

A new Core item is added to the Tree.

3. In the Project Explorer view, select Core.

The Core Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

4. Enter the required data, using the following table for reference.

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Field Description

Material From the drop-down list, select one of the following:

• PVC
• Plywood
• Balsa
• Other

The properties of balsa and foam are assumed to be identical in

terms of calculating stress. This is because they are so 'soft' that their
contribution to the overall properties of the beam can be ignored.
However, if you are using Plywood, this must be specified in the Core
Properties table as its properties are such that the core has a significant
influence on the beam's properties.

Density Density of the composite core material selected.

Tensile Modulus The tensile modulus of uni-directional reinforcements.

Compressive Modulus Compressive modulus of elasticity of the core material.

Ultimate Tensile Strength Specified minimum ultimate tensile strength of the material.

Ultimate Shear Strength The ultimate shear strength of the composite core material in N/mm2.

Shear Modulus The shear modulus of the composite core material.

Ultimate Compressive The ultimate compressive strength of the composite core material in N/mm2.
Strength

To define a fibre for a composite schedule

1. In the Project Explorer view, right-click Materials and from the menu select Insert Item > Composite
Materials.

A new Composite Materials item is inserted into the Materials branch of the Tree.

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2. Right-click Composite Materials and from the menu select Insert Item > Fibre.

A new Fibre item is added to the Tree.

3. In the Project Explorer view, select Fibre.

The Fibre Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

4. Enter the required data in the Fibre Properties table.

For Reinforcement Type select one of the following options from the drop-down list:
• WR/CP - Woven Roving/Cross Ply
• CSM - Chopped Strand Mat
• UDR - Unidirectional
If UDR is selected, a value for the Width of Tape (UDR only) must be entered.

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Fibre Content is entered by default based on the selected Reinforcement Type and is the fibre
content, by weight, within the laminate. However, additional Reinforcement materials can be
selected from the drop-down list, depending on the Reinforcement Type applied, use the following
table for reference.

Reinforcement Type Reinforcement material

WR/CP • Glass
UDR • Aramid
• Carbon

CSM • Glass

Composite panels
Composite panels may be of a single skin or sandwich construction. Panels with a sandwich construction
have the following basic structure.

The panel is defined in a bottom up manner, typically from the wet (outer) to the dry (inner)
surface. The skin may be comprised of several layers, or plys, of Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRPs)
with different properties.
SSC calculates the Thickness, Ultimate Strength and Modulus for each ply within the panel.
The following information outlines the average stress formulae used in the average stress for inner and
outer skins.

Average skin stress

To assess the factor safety of the skin against wrinkling, it is necessary to calculate the average
compressive stress in the skin, this is then compared to the critical wrinkling stress. The average
stress in the sandwich skin under compression can be estimated using the following expression:

where,

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For further information, see Special Service Craft Rules Pt. 8, Ch. 3, Sec 1.13.1.

To create a composite panel

1. In the Project Explorer view, right-click Profiles and from the menu, select Insert Item > Composite
Profiles.

A new Composite Profiles item is inserted into the Profiles branch of the Tree.
2. Right-click Composite Profiles and from the menu, select Insert Item > Panel.

A new Panel item is added to the Tree.

3. In the Project Explorer view, select the new Panel.

The Panel Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

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Initially the Panel Properties table may contain #DIV0 calculation errors. This is because the plies
that make up the schedule in the Layup table have not been defined.
4. In the Properties view, click the Layup tab.

The Layup table is displayed in the Properties view.

5. From the Fibre Type drop-down list, select one of the Fibres previously specified in the Materials
branch.
6. Add as many rows to the table as required to define the outer (wet) skin of the schedule.

To insert a row in a Properties table, first select a row in the table.

Click the down arrow next to the Insert button, , and from the menu, select whether additional rows are
inserted before or after the selected row.

The new row is added to the table.

7. Enter the details of the remaining plies that define the outer (wet) skin of the schedule.
The Weight (g/m2) value is calculated and displays the weight of reinforcement for each ply.
The value is taken from the the material selected in the Materials branch of the Tree, but can
be overridden.
8. If the panel is of a sandwich construction, add a Core to the middle of the schedule.

9. The calculated Thickness for the Core will need to be overtyped, with the required Thickness for the
particular Layup being defined.
10. Add as many rows to the table as required to define the inner (dry) skin of the schedule.
11. Select the Fibre type for the plies that make up the inner (dry) skin of the schedule.

12. Click the Properties tab.

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The completed Panel Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

If the panel is of sandwich construction, the Panel Properties table displays the additional grid items:

− Inner skin compressive modulus

− Outer skin compressive modulus

− Inner skin critical wrinkling stress

− Outer skin critical wrinkling stress

The values displayed show critical wrinkling stress depending on compressive modulus of the skin
and core and shear modulus of the core.

For further information on the average skin stress equations used, see Average skin stress on page 93.

If more than one Core is added to the Layup table, the Panel Properties table will display error
messages.

13. Click a cell displaying the error message.

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The Intermediate Calculations view, displays the following message.

14. Amend the Layup table to contain only one Core, follow steps 8 and 9.

Composite stiffeners

Within SSC, composite stiffeners can only be defined with a 'top hat' profile. If you want to use other
profiles they need to be generalised to a 'top hat' shape.

You can specify the extents and locations of the various plies that make up the stiffener, using the Web
and Boundary bonding options. Schedules for stiffeners are defined from the inside out.

Web Options

Location Diagram Extent of Extent of Description

Ply Boundary
Bonding
Over entire Full Standard This is the default location for a ply. It assumes that the
stiffener ply is in the crown, down the entire web and, if it is the
first ply over the core, has 25 mm of boundary bounding.
Subsequent plies have 15 mm additional boundary
bonding than the previous ply.
In crown None None The ply is present in the crown of the stiffener only, for
only example UDT.

Capping y or Full None The ply is present in the crown of the stiffener and also
extends a distance, y, measured from the top of the
core, down the web of the stiffener. If Full is specified
the ply extends down the entire web, but there is no
boundary bonding.

Boundary Bonding Options

Location Diagram Extent of Extent of Description

Bonding Boundary
Bonding

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Additional y x or Standard Additional boundary bonding material is specified to

boundary extend a distance , y, up the web. The standard distance
bonding is 25 mm for the first ply and 15 mm for subsequent
plies, or may extend a distance, x, further than the
previous ply.

Location Diagram Extent of Extent of Description

Bonding Boundary
Bonding
Custom Full x This is similar to specifying that a ply extends over the
boundary entire stiffener, but with the boundary bonding
bonding extending a distance, x, further than the previous ply.

To create a composite stiffener

1. In the Project Explorer view, right-click Profiles and from the menu, select Insert Item > Composite
Profiles.

A new Composite Profiles item is inserted into the Profiles branch of the Tree.
2. Right-click Composite Profiles and from the menu, select Insert Item > Stiffener.

A new Stiffener item is added to the Tree.

3. In the Project Explorer view, select the new Stiffener.

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The Stiffener Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

Initially the Stiffener Properties table will contain #DIV0 calculation errors. This is because you have
not yet defined the plies that make up the schedule in the Layup table.
4. Enter the dimensions for the Stiffener and the Ultimate Tensile Strength.

5. From the Core Material drop-down list, select the required material for the core.

6. In the Properties view, click the Layup tab.

The Layup table is displayed in the Properties view.

7. From the Fibre Type drop-down list, select one of the Fibres you have specified in the Materials
branch.
8. Add as many rows to the table as required to define the schedule.

To insert a row in a Properties table, first select a row in the table.

Click the down arrow next to the Insert button, , and from the menu, select whether additional rows are
inserted before or after the selected row.

The new row is added to the table.

9. Select the Fibre type for the remaining plies that define the schedule.

10. Click the Properties tab.

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The completed Stiffener Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

Creating a Resource Project Library

A resource project contains a set of user-defined materials and profiles that can be imported into
any number of ship projects. This is very useful when a design office or shipyard uses their own set
of preferred materials and profiles.

To define new Resource projects

1. From the File menu, select New.

The New Project window is displayed.
2. Select New Resource and click OK.

A new SSC window opens.

In the Tree view the following folders are displayed for the resource project:

− Materials

− Profiles
At this point none of these folders contain data.
3. To insert data, right-click the appropriate folder, for example Materials, and from the menu select
Insert Item, then select the required material type.

4. Enter data for each item in the Properties tables.

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If required, you can add items to the resource project from the Library. For further information see To
select items from the Library on page 81 and To copy items from the Library on page 82.

To export resources
You can export a resource project from an existing SSC project.
Current materials, profiles and end connections are displayed in the Project Explorer view ready for
export.
You can edit the Project Explorer to delete any items that you do not require in the resource project and
add any new materials and profiles that you expect to use in the future.
1. Open the SSC file you want to export the resources from.
2. In the Project Explorer view, click the + symbol to show the contents of each folder.

3. Use the scroll bars to review the resources in your current list.
4. To add items, right-click the resources folders and select Insert Item.

5. To delete an item, on the Tree toolbar, click the Delete button, .

6. When the resource project is complete, from the Library toolbar, click the Export Resources button,
.
The Save As window is displayed.

7. Name your resource project and save it in a suitable folder.

The resource project file is given the appropriate suffix .src.

Take care not to confuse the required resource project files with other applications such as AutoCAD which also
use the .src suffix to identify source files.
You might want to save your project to a shared area on a network drive so that all members of your workgroup
will have access and be able to import this into other ship projects.

To import resources

1. Open the project file into which you want to import the resources.

2. On the Library toolbar, click the Import Resources button, .

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3. Ensure that Resource Files (*.src) is selected in the Files of type field.

4. Double-click the resource file you wish to open.

The resource file is then imported into your current project and the resources are added to your
current project.

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10 Defining the Loadings
In SSC there are three methods for assessing the scantlings of a craft:

• Local Assessment - Data for the local assessment is entered into the Loadings branch of the Tree.
This method is also known as the Design Pressure method.

• Global Assessment - Data for the global assessment is entered into the Global Loadings branch of
the Tree. Currently this assessment is only available for monohull ships. The Global Loadings are
based on a number of different Loading Conditions:

− Still Water

− Vertical Wave

− Dynamic

− Rig (Sailing Yachts only)

The Combined Loading Conditions show the worse case shear stresses and bending moments for
these loading conditions.

• Minimal Plate Thickness - these are calculated automatically based on structure type.

SSC needs at least one defined loading condition to work correctly.

To define a Loading Condition

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Loadings branch and select Loading Condition.

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The Loading Condition Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

Initially the Loading Condition Properties table is populated with data from the Basic Data
Properties table. The maximum breadth attributes are displayed based upon the craft type
selected.

Craft Type Selected Display

Mono Max Breadth of Hull at LCG

Rib
Hydrofoil

SWATH Total Breadth of Structs at LCG

Catamaran Total Breadth of Hulls at LCG

Multi Display

2. Enter the details for the Loading Condition you want to specify.

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Overriding the original data from the Basic Data Properties table enables you to specify a new Loading
condition. The new values you enter are used in the calculation of the loading condition.

3. In the Project Explorer view, rename the Loading Condition.

To rename an item, do one of the following:

• Select the item, then press F2.
• Right-click the item, then from the menu, select Rename Item.
• Type a new name for the item and press Enter.

4. In the Graphic view, look at the Design Pressure graph.

To enable the Global Loadings Assessment

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Details branch and select Basic Data.
The Basic Data Properties table is displayed.

2. Ensure that the Global Assessment drop-down list is set to Yes.

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The Global Loadings branch is displayed in the Tree when Global Assessment is enabled.

3. Expand the Global Loadings branch.

Depending on the ship type, the following Loading Conditions are displayed:
− Still Water
− Vertical Wave

− Rig Loading

− Combined

− Dynamic

Rig Loading Conditions are only displayed if, in the Basic Data Properties table, the Sailing Yacht drop-down list
is set to Yes.

Still Water Loading Conditions

Including Still Water Loading Conditions in your design is optional.
The Still Water Loading Conditions are user-defined. You can enter as many positions along the length
of the ship as required, or you can just specify the midship position. The positions you enter for the
Still Water Loading Conditions determine where the other global loading conditions are assessed.

To define Still Water Loading Conditions

1. In the Project Explorer view, select Global Loadings > Still Water Loading Conditions > Still Water
Loading.

The Still Water Global Loads table is displayed.

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2. In the Project Explorer view, rename the Still Water Loading item.

To rename an item, do one of the following:

• Select the item, then press F2.
• Right-click the item, then from the menu, select Rename Item.

3. Type a new name for the item and press Enter. Insert as many rows as required into the table.

To insert a row in a Properties table, first select a row in the table.

Click the down arrow next to the Insert items button, , and from the menu, select whether additional rows are
inserted before or after the selected row.
The new row is added to the table.

4. Enter the Still Water Global Loads data.

5. In the Graphic view, look at the Shear Force plotted against Distance fwd AP.

6. Click the Bending Moments tab.

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7. In the Graphic view, look at the Bending Moments plotted against Distance fwd AP.

8. To add another Still Water Loading, right-click Still Water Loading Conditions and from the menu,
select Insert Item > Still Water Loading.

9. Repeat steps 4 to 6 to specify the Still Water Loading details for the new loading condition.

10. Specify as many Still Water Loading Conditions as required.

11. In the Project Explorer view, select Still Water Loading Conditions.

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12. In the Graphic view, look at the Shear Forces for all the Loading Conditions you have specified.

13. Click the Bending Moments tab.

14. In the Graphic view, look at the Bending Moments for all the Loading Conditions you have
specified.

Vertical Wave Loading Conditions

In the Vertical Wave Loading Properties table, you define the local loading condition and the Still
Water Loading Condition from which the vertical wave loading conditions are to be derived. SSC
calculates the Global Loadings on the hull under the wave conditions in the relevant ship service
area.
The wave loading values for hogging and sagging are calculated for those positions forward of the aft
perpendicular that you specified for the Still Water Loading Conditions. You can see the values by
clicking on the Wave Loading (Hogging) and Wave Loading (Sagging) tabs in the Properties view.

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The Shear Forces and Bending Moments graphs are plotted in the Graphic view. Hogging data is shown
in red, Sagging data in green.

To define Vertical Wave Loading Conditions

1. In the Project Explorer view, select Global Loadings > Vertical Wave Loading Conditions > Vertical
Wave Loading.

The Vertical Wave Loading Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

2. In the Project Explorer view, rename the Vertical Wave Loading item.

To rename an item, do one of the following:

• Select the item, then press F2.
• Right-click the item, then from the menu, select Rename Item.

3. Type a new name for the item and press Enter.In the Vertical Wave Loading Properties table, from
the Local Loading drop-down list, select the required Loading Condition from the conditions
specified in the Loadings branch.
4. From the Controlling Still Water Loading drop-down list, select the required Loading Condition
from the conditions specified in Still Water Loading Conditions.

5. In the Properties view, click the Wave Loading (Sagging) tab.

The Wave Loading (Sagging) table is displayed in the Properties view.

6. Review the data in the Wave Loading (Sagging) table and amend it if required.
7. Click the Wave Loading (Hogging) tab.

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The Wave Loading (Hogging) table is displayed in the Properties view.

8. Review the data in the Wave Loading (Hogging) table and amend it if required.

9. In the Graphic view, look at the Shear Force plotted against Distance fwd AP for Hogging and
Sagging.

10. Click the Bending Moments tab.

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11. In the Graphic view, look at the Bending Moments plotted against Distance fwd AP for Hogging
and Sagging.

12. To add another loading condition, right-click Vertical Wave Loading Conditions and from the
menu, select Insert Item > Vertical Wave Loading.

13. Repeat steps 2 to 8 to specify the Vertical Wave Loading details for the new loading condition.
14. Specify as many Vertical Wave Loading Conditions as required.

15. In the Tree view, select Vertical Wave Loading Conditions.

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16. In the Graphic view, look at the Shear Forces for all the Vertical Wave Loading Conditions you
have specified.

17. Click the Bending Moments tab.

18. In the Graphic view, look at the Bending Moments for all the Vertical Wave Loading Conditions
you have specified.

Dynamic Loading Conditions

The Dynamic Loading Conditions are included in the Global Loadings branch only if the ship is of the
Monohull type and operating in non-displacement mode.
The Still Water Bending Moment is not used in the Dynamic Loading calculations.

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The Dynamic Loading Conditions are valid only if the Local Loading Conditions are valid; that is if the
value for Valid Loading in the Dynamic Loading Properties table is set to Yes.
The wave loading values for hogging and sagging are calculated for those positions forward of the aft
perpendicular that you specified for the Still Water Loading Conditions. You can see the values by
clicking on the Dynamic Loading (Hogging) and Dynamic Loading (Sagging) Tabs in the Properties view.
The Shear Forces and Bending Moments graphs are plotted in the Graphic view. Hogging data is shown
in red, Sagging data in green.

To define Dynamic Loading Conditions

1. In the Project Explorer view, select Global Loadings > Dynamic Loading Conditions > Dynamic
Loading.

The Dynamic Loading Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

2. In the Project Explorer view, rename the Dynamic Loading item.

To rename an item, do one of the following:

• Select the item, then press F2.
• Right-click the item, then from the menu, select Rename Item.

3. Type a new name for the item and press Enter. In the Dynamic Loading Properties table, from the
Local Loading drop-down list, select the required Loading Condition from the conditions specified
in the Loadings branch.
4. From the Controlling Still Water Loading drop-down list, select the required Loading Condition
from the conditions specified in Still Water Loading Conditions.

If the combination of Local Loading and Controlling Still Water Loading chosen is not valid, the V alid
Loading property will display No and the loadings will not be calculated.

5. Click the Dynamic Loading (Sagging) tab.

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The Dynamic Loading (Sagging) table is displayed in the Properties view.

6. Review the data in the Dynamic Loading (Sagging) table and amend it if required.
7. Click the Dynamic Loading (Hogging) tab.

The Dynamic Loading (Hogging) table is displayed in the Properties view.

8. Review the data in the Dynamic Loading (Hogging) table and amend it if required.

9. In the Graphic view, look at Shear Force plotted against Distance fwd AP for Hogging and Sagging.

10. Click the Bending Moments tab.

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11. In the Graphic view, look at the Bending Moments plotted against Distance fwd AP for Hogging
and Sagging.

12. To add another loading condition, right-click Dynamic Loading Conditions and from the menu,
select Insert Item > Dynamic Loading.

13. Repeat steps 2 to 8 to specify the Dynamic Loading details for the new loading condition.

14. Specify as many Dynamic Loading Conditions as required.

15. In the Project Explorer view, select Dynamic Loading Conditions.

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16. In the Graphic view, look at the Shear Forces for all the Dynamic Loading Conditions you have
specified.

17. Click the Bending Moments tab.

18. In the Graphic view, look at the Bending Moments for all the Dynamic Loading Conditions you
have specified.

Rig Loading Conditions

The Rig Loading Conditions are included in the Global Loadings branch if both of the following are set
to Yes in the Basic Data Properties table

• Global Assessment

• Sailing Yacht

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In the Rig Loading Properties table, you need to specify values for:

• Number of masts
• Distance from Mast <Number> to AP
You then add rows to the Rigging Forces table so that you can plot the rigging forces along the length
of the ship and associate them with the appropriate mast.
The Rig Loading Conditions assessment is a tool to help you create a complete picture of the Global
Loadings. The Special Service Craft Rules themselves do not give a specific approach for assessing the
Global Loadings of sailing craft.

To define Rig Loading Conditions

1. In the Project Explorer view, select Global Loadings > Rig Loading Conditions > Rig Global Loading.

The Rig Global Loading Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

2. In the Project Explorer view, rename the Rig Global Loading item.

To rename an item, do one of the following:

• Select the item, then press F2.
• Right-click the item, then from the menu, select Rename Item.

3. Type a new name for the item and press Enter. In the Rig Global Loading Properties table, enter
the Number of Masts and the Distance from Mast x to AP.

4. Click the Rigging Forces tab.

The Rigging Forces table is displayed in the Properties view.

5. Insert as many rows as required into the table.

To insert a row in a Properties table, first select a row in the table.

Click the down arrow next to the Insert items button, , and from the menu, select whether additional rows
are inserted before or after the selected row.

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The new row is added to the table.

6. Enter the Rigging Forces data.

7. Click the Loads Mast # tab.

The Loads Mast # table is displayed in the Properties view.

8. Review the data in the Loads Mast # table and amend it if required.

There is a Loads Mast # table for each Mast specified in the Rig Global Loading Properties table.

9. In the Graphic view, look at the Shear Force and Bending Moments plotted against Distance fwd
AP.

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10. To add another loading condition, right-click Rig Loading Conditions and from the menu, select
Insert Item > Rig Global Loading.

11. Repeat steps 2 to 8 to specify the Rig Global Loading details in the new loading condition.
12. Specify as many Rig Loading Conditions as required.

13. In the Project Explorer view, select Rig Loading Conditions.

14. In the Graphic view, look at the Shear Forces and Bending Moments for all the Rig Loading
Conditions you have specified.

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Combined Loading Conditions

The Combined Loading Conditions show the combination of selected global loadings.
In the Properties table for each combined loading condition there is a Loading field for each of the
other types of loading condition that are included. Select from the list the particular loading condition
that contains the data you want to combine.
When you have selected all the loading conditions, the worst case shear forces and the worst case
bending moments are plotted in the Graphic view.
In the Properties view, the Combined Shear Force and Combined Bending Moments tables show:
• the shear forces or bending moments calculated for all of the global loading conditions included
in the Global Loadings branch

• the worst case shear forces or bending moments

The shear forces and the bending moments are calculated at those positions forward of the aft
perpendicular that you specified for the Still Water Loading Conditions.

To define Combined Loading Conditions

1. In the Project Explorer view, select Global Loadings > Combined Loading Conditions > Combined
Loading.

The Combined Loading Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

2. In the Project Explorer view, rename the Combined Loading item.

To rename an item, do one of the following:

• Select the item, then press F2.
• Right-click the item, then from the menu, select Rename Item.

3. Type a new name for the item and press Enter. In the Combined Loading Properties table, set the
Loading and Type for the loading conditions you want to combine.

4. Click the Combined Shear Force tab.

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The Combined Shear Force table is displayed in the Properties view.

5. Review the data in the Combined Shear Force table and amend it if required.
6. Click the Combined Bending Moment tab.

The Combined Bending Moment table is displayed in the Properties view.

7. Review the data in the Combined Bending Moment table and amend it if required.

8. In the Graphic view, look at Shear Force plotted against Distance fwd AP for the Combined Loading.

9. Click the Bending Moments tab.

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10. In the Graphic view, look at Bending Moments plotted against Distance fwd AP for the Combined
Loading.

11. To add another loading condition, right-click Combined Loading Conditions and from the menu,
select Insert Item > Combined Loading.

12. Repeat steps 2 to 7 to specify the Combined Loading details for the new loading condition.
13. Specify as many Combined Loading Conditions as required.

14. In the Project Explorer view, select Combined Loading Conditions.

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15. In the Graphic view, look at the Shear Forces for all the Combined Loading Conditions you have
specified.

16. Click the Bending Moments tab.

17. In the Graphic view, look at the Bending Moments for all the Combined Loading Conditions you
have specified.

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11 Defining Structure
The Structures branch in the Tree enables you to study the local loading conditions for specific
structural items within the vessel. Each item is independent of the others, and is assessed against
its own loadings. Typically you would choose to assess the following:

• Bottom Shell
• Side Shell
• Deck Structure
• Double Bottom or Single Bottom, depending on the design
• Bulkheads

• Superstructures/deckhouses
• Rudders
• Propeller blades
The scantlings are calculated based on the worst case for loading conditions defined in the Loadings
branch.
If one or more of the Loadings are finalised, then only the finalised Loadings will be included in the
scantling calculations. If none of the Loadings are finalised, all Loadings are included in the
calculations.

For further information see Finalising Items on page 217.

To define Structures

1. In the Project Explorer view, do one of the following:

− Right-click the Structures branch and from the menu, select Insert Item, then the required
structure.

− On the Tree toolbar, click the Insert button, .

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The Insert window is displayed. Select the required structure.

2. Click OK.
A new Structure item is added to the Structure branch of the Tree.

3. Do one of the following:

− Right-click the new Structure item and from the menu, select Insert Item, then the material
and finally the required item.

− On the Tree toolbar, click the Insert button, .

The Insert window is displayed.
When the Insert window is opened for the first time all the material option check boxes are
selected. For subsequent opening, the Insert window will display the material options selected
as at the last time they were set.

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Select the materials to filter the list, use the following table for reference.

Field Description

Type Lists the types of structures to be inserted, select a structure.

OK The selected structure and the material(s) set is inserted into the Tree view.

Cancel Closes the Insert window and no structure is inserted in the Tree view.

Aluminium(Al) Select the check box to display all structures with (Al) material assigned.

Steel(FE) Select the check box to display all structures with (FE) material assigned.

Composite(C) Select the check box to display all structures with (C) material assigned.

Name: Displays the name of the selected structure.

Help Opens the Help feature.

A new Structure item is added to the Tree.

4. In the Project Explorer view, select the new item.

The Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

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In V 3.0, the Derived value for Design Pressure was used, unless the null value in the Entered column was
overwritten.
In V 5.0 and subsequent SSC releases, the Entered value for Design Pressure is always used in further
calculations. This value can be calculated or overwritten. The Entered value defaults to the Derived
value. The Derived value is the rule design pressure value.

5. Enter the details for the item.

Composite structures have additional factors relevant to wrinkling criteria, for further information see
Special Service Craft Rules Pt. 8, Ch. 3, Sec 3.

The item is displayed in red in the Structure View.

To review composite structures

1. In the Project Explorer view, select the required composite item.

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The composite Structure Properties table is displayed.

2. Review the data, using the following table for reference.

If the Entered value fails to comply with the Required value, then the Required value will display red.

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Field Description

Weight of inner skin The field is displayed when the hull type is Mono or Multi
hull and the skin type is sandwich laminate. The value
Weight of outer skin displayed is calculated and is the minimum amount of
reinforcement of sandwich skin laminates.

To view the calculated weight for the inner and outer

skin, click in the Required field and view the data
displayed in Intermediate Calculations.

Direct Core Shear Stress The direct core shear stress at the edges of a sandwich
panel subjected to lateral pressure in N/mm2. Taken
from the Core Material properties table:
PV C - Direct Core Shear Stress = 0.45*
Balsa, Plywood, Other - Direct Core Shear Stress = 0.35*.

Wrinkling Stress for inner skin Calculated from data entered for:
Wrinkling Stress for outer skin • Base Width of Stiffener
• Inner and Outer Skin Thickness
• Direct Core Shear Stress
• Bending Moment
• Deflection
• Curvature
• Panel Breadth
• Panel Length
• Design Pressure

If the composite Panel contains more than one Core, error messages are displayed in the
composite Structure Properties table.

3. In the Project Explorer view, select the relevant composite Panel.

4. Click the Layup tab.

5. Amend the Layup Properties table to contain only one Core.

The composite Panel and composite Structure Properties table update and error messages are
removed.

For further information see To create a composite panel on page 94.

Cross ply (X-ply) analysis

The X-ply table displays a numerical and graphical representation of stresses within structural items made
of composite materials.
Each ply within the Layup is assessed individually according to three levels of stress:

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• Ultimate
• Actual
• Allowable
All stress calculations are based on the Design Pressure taken from the worst case loading condition
defined in the Loadings branch.

To view the cross ply analysis

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Structures branch and select the required composite
item.

The Properties table is displayed in the Properties view

2. Review the data in the Properties table.

The X-ply rule compliance will display:

− PASS

− FAIL

depending on whether the layers of X-ply values in actual stress are within, or exceed the
allowable stress limit.

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3. In the Properties view, click the XPly tab.

The XPly table is displayed.

4. Review the data in the Xply table.

The plies are displayed in a top-down manner. Stress Fraction is the factor of Actual Stress against Allowable
Stress.
The C< > T column displays a graphical representation of the stresses. The stresses are indicated as shown in
the following table.

Colour Description

GREEN Actual Stress - the stress present in the furthest extent of the
ply, measured relative to the neutral axis.

GREY Ultimate Stress - the maximum possible stress for the ply, given
its location and function.

BLACK Allowable Stress - the maximum permitted stress for the ply
given its location and function.

RED Rule Failure - the Actual Stress exceeds the Allowable Stress.

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12 Working with the Transverse Section View

The Transverse Section View, in the Graphic view, provides a drawing facility similar to a CAD package. It
enables you to draw transverse sections and automatically establish minimum Rule scantlings for
longitudinal material. This makes the entry of a section, including strakes and stiffener groups, as simple
and as quick as possible.
In the Transverse Section View, panels are defined as follows:

• Panels that do not have a defined material thickness, that is, the thickness is set to 0.000, are shown as
a dotted line.

• Panels that have a thickness defined are shown as a solid line.

When you select a transverse section in the Project Explorer view, a schematic representation is displayed
in the Graphic view.
For symmetrical sections you may view either the entire section, or the port side only.
For asymmetrical sections you can display the entire section.

In the example shown, the superstructure has been modelled in the Transverse Section View.
In general the superstructure is not taken into account when calculating the hull section modulus. Typically
you would choose to model only the structure below the strength deck in order to calculate the hull
girder section properties.
If you choose to model the superstructure, the sectional properties can still be calculated correctly if you set
the superstructure material to be longitudinally non-effective for bending. Pay particular attention to
the effects of openings, for example, hatches and doors. The effective section area may need to be
reduced over an area that extends well outside the actual opening.

For further information, see To make longitudinal structures non-effective for bending on page 181.
See the Special Service Craft Rules for information on the effectiveness of the superstructure for steel,
aluminium and FRP hull construction.

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Functions of the Transverse Section View

In the Transverse Section View, you can select a panel and view the properties of:
• the panel itself

• any strakes or stiffeners that have been specified for the panel • any framing regions that have been
specified for the panel You can also:

• use the zooming and magnification features to inspect the details of your ship design

• view labels and dimensions

• create and define flat and curved panels using powerful drawing tools

• convert the reflection to allow you to model the starboard side of the ship as well as the port side • copy
transverse sections to any position along the ship

Transverse Section View methodology

When you are working in the Transverse Section View to enter or edit data, or define new panels, it is
recommended that you define each structure in turn, working in a logical order.
For each structure you should perform all required tasks before moving on to the next structure.
The tasks you may need to perform for each structure include:

• Drawing the structure

• Defining the function
• Splitting into strakes and entering the width of strakes
• Entering thickness
• Entering the material grade
• Adding stiffener groups
The diagram below shows a typical transverse section with the main structures indicated. The numbering of
the structures indicates the order in which you are recommended to work through, starting with the Keel.

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Choose the method that suits you best, but above all, do follow a consistent plan. This can save you from
considerable effort in tracking down errors and omissions.

To Zoom In and Out of the Transverse Section View

1. On the Midship Editor toolbar, click the Zoom In button, .

In the Transverse Section View, the cursor becomes a magnifying glass.

2. Click in the Transverse Section View.

The magnification of the Transverse Section View is increased.
3. Rotate the mouse wheel anticlockwise to increase the magnification.

4. To zoom in to look at a specific area, click the Zoom In button, .

5. Position the cursor at the top left-hand corner of the area you want to enlarge.

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6. Hold down the mouse button to drag diagonally outwards until you have created a box around
the area required.

7. Release the mouse button.

A magnified view of the selected area is displayed in the Graphic view.

You can vary the size of the area displayed by selecting a larger or a smaller area with the Zoom In cursor.

If you hold down the Ctrl key while zooming in, you can continue to zoom in until you release the Ctrl key.

8. To reduce the magnification, on the Midship Editor toolbar, click the Zoom Out button, .

9. Rotate the mouse wheel clockwise to reduce the magnification further.

To magnify in the Transverse Section View

1. On the Midship Editor toolbar, click the Magnify button, .

A magnifying circle is displayed.

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2. Point in the circle, hold down the left mouse button and drag the magnifying circle to the area
you want to inspect.

3. To change the level of magnification, right-click and from the menu, select the level of
magnification you require.

You can drag the magnifier to any position within the Transverse Section View. You can also use it to
inspect a zoomed image.

To Size to Fit in the Transverse Section View

After zooming in to a particular area you may want to resize the schematic of the transverse section so that
all of it is visible in the Transverse Section View.

1. On the Midship Editor toolbar, click the Size to fit button, .

2. In the Transverse Section View, look at the schematic of the transverse section.

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3. The schematic of the transverse section resizes to fit the Transverse Section View.

Defining the Transverse Sections

SSC allows you to define one Midship Section and any number of Transverse Sections, depending on the
structural requirements of the ship that you are modelling. The distinction between the Midship Section
and a Transverse Section is traditional and maintained for easy recognition. There is no functional
difference between the two.
The transverse sections in SSC are used to calculate sectional properties of the hull girder. They are not used
to assess structures. This can only be done in the Structures branch.

To add a Transverse Section

1. In the Project Explorer view, right-click Transverse Sections and from the menu, select Insert Item >
Transverse Section.

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A new transverse section is added to the model at the bottom of the Transverse Sections branch
of the tree.

You can add as many transverse sections as required.

Transverse sections are normally identified with an incremented number, #1, #2 and so on. You are
advised to rename each transverse section using the frame number relevant to its position within the
ship structure.

2. In the Project Explorer view, select the Transverse Section.

The Transverse Section Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

Transverse Sections added in this way are populated only with limited data entered in the Details branch.
You define the position of the transverse section within the ship's geometry by entering the Frame
Number. No panels are defined. Most of the attributes in the Transverse Section Properties table are
set to 0.000.

If required, you can copy an existing transverse section with all its data. For further information see To
copy Transverse Sections on page 139.
A default schematic diagram of the Transverse Section is displayed in the Graphic view.
For information on how to add panels to the Transverse Section, see Creating and defining new panels on page 154.

To copy Transverse Sections

1. In the Project Explorer view, select the Transverse Section you want to copy.

2. On the Midship Editor toolbar, click the Transverse section copy utility button, .

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The Paste Location window is displayed with a default title for the Name of Section to distinguish it
from any other Transverse Sections that you have previously created.

If your model does not have a midship section, you can create one by enabling the Midship Section check
box. This check box is greyed out if your model already has a midship section.

3. If required, in the Name of Section field, enter an appropriate name.

4. In the Frame No field, enter the frame number.

5. In the Frame Offset (mm) field, enter the frame offset in mm, if required.
6. Click OK.
The new Transverse Section, is added to the Transverse Sections branch.

The new Transverse Section contains a complete set of data from the section you copied.

Converting Reflections
SSC assumes that the ship design is symmetrical and carries out calculations accordingly. However, in
some transverse sections there may be structures that contain openings, such as inspection hatches or
vehicle ramps, which are not present on the other side of the ship.
In order to accommodate such asymmetric elements, SSC provides you with a facility to copy the data that
you originally modelled in the port side of the transverse section into the starboard side. In this way, the
structures are reflected about the centre line. You can then select the panels that have different design
features and modify their structure accordingly. SSC will then include these differences in the calculations.

To convert a reflection

1. On the Midship Editor toolbar, ensure that the Reflects the image button, , is enabled.

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The Transverse Section View is displayed with the shadow image.

You will generally view each Transverse Section with the image reflected about the centreline. Typically
you enter data for the port side of the view. A shadow image is shown on the starboard side of the
display.

2. In the Properties table for each structural item, ensure that all the items you want to convert have
the Reflect check box enabled.

3. To copy the data into the reflection, on the Selection and Drawing toolbar, click the Convert
reflection button, .
A window appears asking if you wish to continue.

4. Click Yes.

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All existing data is copied into new structural items in order to define the reflection. The
reflected image is displayed in the Transverse Section View.

The reflected structural items appear in the Tree with the text (reflection) appended to their name.
You can select any of these items, on either side of the ship, and edit each one independently of its reflection, to
create asymmetric structures.

You can select any of the items, on either side of the ship, and edit each one independently of its reflection to
create asymmetric structures.

Viewing Labels and Dimensions

Using the Labels button, , on the Midship Editor toolbar, you can add information to the section
that is currently displayed in the Transverse Section View.

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To select Labels and Dimensions

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Transverse Sections branch and select the required item,
for example Midship Section.

2. On the Midship Editor toolbar, click the Labels button, , to display the Labels menu.

3. Click an item to select it.

The required information is displayed in the Transverse Section View.

This example shows Port/Starboard labels.

The port and starboard labels are displayed relative to the size of the Graphic view, and not to
relative to the size of the transverse section image.
4. Experiment with the labels to find the arrangement that suits you best.

It is usually best to zoom into the area you want to view as the screen definition does not allow the display
of long strings of text in a general view such as Size to fit.
Once you select to display a particular set of labels, the Transverse Section View always displays them, until you
explicitly turn off the display. The current label settings are saved with the project.

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This example shows the Strake dimensions for a selected area.

This example shows a zoomed section with Stiffener labels and ids.

You can select to view as many labels at the same time as you require, but you are recommended to limit
the number of selections for the sake of clarity.

To view Reference Lines

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Transverse Sections branch and select the required item,
for example Midship Section.

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2. On the Midship Editor toolbar, click the Labels button, , and from the menu, select Reference
Lines.

The following Reference Lines are displayed in blue in the Transverse Section View:

− Deck Line

− Base Line

− Max Beam

− Waterline

Selection and Drawing toolbar

The Selection and Drawing toolbar provides a selection of tools to assist you in drawing ship structure in the
Transverse Section view. Using the toolbar you can:

• insert a Primary Stiffener

• draw Longitudinal and Transverse Panels

• draw Construction Lines

• use Trim/Extend functionality
The Construction Lines, Longitudinal Panels, Transverse Bulkheads and Trim/Extend buttons have several
options. When you hover the mouse over the button, the tool tip shown is for the selected option, or, if
no option is selected, the tool tip is shown for the first option in the menu.

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The Selection and Drawing toolbar is enabled only when a structure in the Transverse Sections branch is
selected in the Tree view.

Drawing tools

This section explains how to:

• set the Drawing Options

• use the Trim and Extend tools

To set the Drawing Options

1. On the Selection and Drawing toolbar, click the Drawing options button, .
The Drawing Options window is displayed.

2. Amend the options as required.

The functionality available in the Drawing Options window is described in the table below.

Option Description

Snap to: Allows you to automatically align panels and construction lines along a grid or
with existing panels and construction lines.

Grid spacing Allows you to specify the size of the drawing grid by entering the required
dimension in mm.

Grid snapping Enables you to snap drawing items to the grid displayed in the Transverse
Section Editor.

Longitudinal Panels Enables you to snap drawing items to longitudinal panels.

Construction Lines Enables you to snap drawing items to construction lines.

Transverse Panels Enables you to snap drawing items to transverse panels.

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Option Description

Longitudinal panel w Allows you to draw lines which are multiples of x in length, where x is the value
idth in multiples of: entered.

Snap-to tolerance is: Determines how close an object must be to a grid before it is aligned along it
automatically.

Do not drag until mouse Controls how far you can move the mouse before a selected object is dragged
has moved: to a new position.

Constrain lines to angles Allows the panel you are drawing to snap to positions which are multiples of the
of: number of degrees specified, whilst holding down the shift key.

Using the Trim and Extend Tools

You can use the Trim and Extend tools to correct situations where panels are too long or too short.

To use the Trim tool

1. On the Midship Editor toolbar, click the Zoom In button, , to zoom in to the required area in
the Transverse Section View.
2. In the Transverse Section View, select the panel you want to trim.
3. Do one of the following:

− On the Selection and Drawing toolbar, click the down arrow next to the Trim/Extend button
and select Trim.

− Right-click and from the menu, select Trim tool.

The cursor changes from a symbol to a symbol indicating that it is possible to trim the
panel.

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4. Hover over the panel that you want to trim to.

As you do this the cursor changes from a symbol to a symbol indicating where the panel will be
trimmed to.

5. Click once.
The selected panel is trimmed to the required location.

To use the Extend tool

1. On the Midship Editor toolbar, click the Zoom In button, , to zoom in to the required area in
the Transverse Section View.
2. In the Transverse Section View, select the panel you want to extend.
3. Do one of the following:

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− On the Selection and Drawing toolbar, click the down arrow next to the Trim/Extend button
and select Extend.

− Right-click and from the menu, select Extend tool.

The cursor changes from a symbol to a symbol indicating that it is possible to extend the
panel.

4. Hover over the panel that you want to extend to.

As you do this the cursor changes from a symbol to a symbol indicating where the panel to will
be extended to.

5. Click once.

The selected panel is extended to the required location.

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13 Entering panel design

This section explains how to enter panel data in the Transverse Section View. Panels can also be selected in
the Transverse Section View and their properties modified in the Properties view.

Panels
A panel comprises sheet material with attached secondary stiffening. SSC can model longitudinal panels
with longitudinal secondary stiffening and all transverse structure, both panels and stiffeners.
A panel is primarily defined by the following aspects:

• the panel's function within the ship's structure, such as Bottom Plate, Internal Deck, or Watertight
Bulkhead

• the panel's geometric extent

To aid the entry of secondary stiffening requirements into SSC, each panel should be made as large as
geometrically possible, while staying within the limits of the appropriate position for its function. For
example, a Side Shell panel should represent as much of the Side Shell extent as possible while maintaining
accuracy to the hull form. The use of the Spline panel type will aid this objective. However the Side Shell
panel would not normally reach the keel, as there would be at least a Bottom Plate panel in between.
The diagram below illustrates the components of a panel:

As the diagram shows, a panel can comprise multiple strakes of material. Each panel comprises at least one
strake.

To select a panel and view its properties

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Transverse Sections branch and select the required
section.

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A schematic representation of the section is displayed in the Graphic view.

2. In the Project Explorer view, expand the section and click the required panel.

The selected panel is displayed as a solid red line. Any stiffeners and other structures attached
to the panel are also displayed.

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Additional tabs are displayed in the Properties view.

The Properties table for the selected panel is displayed in the Properties view.

3. In the Properties view, click the Strakes tab.

The Strakes table is displayed, showing details of the strakes used to create the panel.

4. In the Properties view, click the Stiffeners tab.

The Stiffeners table for the panel is displayed in the Properties view.

5. In the Properties view, click the Framing Regions tab.

The Framing Regions table for the panel is displayed in the Properties view.

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Creating and defining new panels

This section explains how to create the following types of panel:
• Flat
• Curved
• Polyline
• Spline
Panels can be created by any one of the following methods:

• Inserting a panel into the Tree.

• Drawing a panel in the Graphic view.

To insert a panel in the Project Explorer view

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Transverse Sections branch, right-click the required
transverse section and from the Insert Item menu, select one of the following:

− Curved Panel

− Flat Panel

− Panel

If you are creating a Spline or Poyline panel, select the Panel option.

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A new Panel item is added to the Tree.

2. In the Project Explorer view, select the new panel.

The Panel Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.
3. In the Panel Properties table, select the Default function for the panel.

4. Enter the coordinates for the panel.

If you are creating a Spline or Polyline panel, click the Intermediate Points tab and enter the
coordinates of the panel in the Intermediate Points table.
5. In the Project Explorer view, rename the panel as required.

To rename an item, do one of the following:

• Select the item, then press F2.
• Right-click the item, then from the menu, select Rename Item.

6. Type a new name for the item and press Enter. In the Graphic view, look at the new panel.

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The panel is highlighted in red.

To use construction lines

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Transverse Sections branch, and select the required
transverse section.
2. On the Selection and Drawing toolbar, click the down arrow next to the Construction Line button
and select the required option.

3. To draw the construction line, do one of the following:

− In the Graphic view, click where you want the Construction Line to start, then click again where
you want the line to finish.

The click-click facility allows you to perform other operations whilst drawing the panel.

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The Construction Line is displayed as green dashed line.

A new Construction Line item is added to the Tree.

4. In the Tree view, select the Construction Line.

The Construction Line Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

5. Review the data in the Construction Line Properties table and amend it if required.
6. Rename the Construction Line.

To rename an item, do one of the following:

• Select the item, then press F2.
• Right-click the item, then from the menu, select Rename Item.
Type a new name for the item and press Enter.

To create a flat panel

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Transverse Sections branch, and select the required
transverse section.

2. On the Midship Editor toolbar, use the Zoom In button, , to enlarge the area where you are
going to insert the panel.

Enlarging the display helps you draw more accurately.

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3. On the Selection and Drawing toolbar, click the down arrow next to the Panel button and select
Flat Panel.

4. In the Graphic view, click where you want the Flat Panel to start, then click again where you want
the panel to finish.

The click-click facility allows you to perform other operations whilst drawing the panel.

The new panel is displayed in the Graphic view.

The new panel is identified in the Project Explorer view with the default name of Panel.
The Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

When you draw the panel in freehand, it is unlikely that the position of the panel will be entirely accurate.
However you can make corrections in the Properties table.

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You can also use the drawing tools to improve accuracy. For further information see Drawing Tools on
page 146.

5. Ensure that you select the correct Function for the panel so that SSC can apply the Special Service
Craft Rules correctly.

6. In the Properties view, click the Strakes tab

The Strakes table is displayed in the Properties view.

7. In the Strakes table, enter the required data, such as Material and Thickness.

8. In the Project Explorer view, rename the panel.

To rename an item, do one of the following:

• Select the item, then press F2.
• Right-click the item, then from the menu, select Rename Item.
• Type a new name for the item and press Enter.

To create a centred curved panel

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Transverse Sections branch, and select the required
transverse section.

2. On the Midship Editor toolbar, use the Zoom In button, , to enlarge the area where you are
going to insert the panel.

Enlarging the display helps you draw more accurately.

3. On the Selection and Drawing toolbar, click the down arrow next to the Panel button and select
Centred Curved Panel.

4. To draw the panel, click in the Graphic view to set the centre of the curve.

5. Drag the mouse away from the central point to the required radius.

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A circular guideline appears.

6. Click to establish the start of the panel at the required distance from the centre.

7. Click on the guideline to establish the end of the panel.

The centred curved panel is displayed in the Graphic view.

8. If required, adjust the size and position of the curved panel by dragging the move handle at the
centre of the panel.

A new Panel item is added to the Tree.

9. In the Project Explorer view, select the Panel.

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The Panel Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

10. Ensure that you select the correct Function for the panel so that SSC can apply the Special Service
Craft Rules correctly.

11. In the Properties view, click the Strakes tab.

The Strakes table is displayed in the Properties view.

12. In the Strakes table, enter the required data, such as Material and Thickness.

13. In the Project Explorer view, rename the panel.

To rename an item, do one of the following:

• Select the item, then press F2.
• Right-click the item, then from the menu, select Rename Item.
• Type a new name for the item and press Enter.

To create a curved panel

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Transverse Sections branch, and select the required
transverse section.

2. On the Midship Editor toolbar, use the Zoom In button, , to enlarge the area where you are
going to insert the panel.

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Enlarging the display helps you draw more accurately.

1. On the Selection and Drawing toolbar, click the down arrow next to the Panel button and select
Curved Panel.

2. In the Graphic view, click to establish the start of the panel.

3. Click to establish the end of the panel.

4. Move the cursor between the two points to determine the curve of the panel.

5. Click to fix the curve.

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The curved panel is displayed in the Graphic view.

6. If required, adjust the size and position of the curved panel by dragging the move handle at the
centre of the panel.

A new Panel item is added to the Tree.

7. In the Project Explorer view, select the Panel.
The Curved Panel Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

8. Ensure that you select the correct Function for the panel so that SSC can apply the Special Service
Craft Rules correctly.

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9. In the Properties view, click the Strakes tab.

The Strakes table is displayed in the Properties view.

10. In the Strakes table, enter the required data, such as Material and Thickness.

11. In the Project Explorer view, rename the panel.

To rename an item, do one of the following:

• Select the item, then press F2.
• Right-click the item, then from the menu, select Rename Item.
• Type a new name for the item and press Enter.

To create a polyline panel

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Transverse Sections branch, and select the required
transverse section.

2. On the Midship Editor toolbar, use the Zoom In button, , to enlarge the area where you are
going to insert the panel.

Enlarging the display helps you draw more accurately.

3. On the Selection and Drawing toolbar, click the down arrow next to the Panel button and select
Polyline Panel.

4. In the Graphic view, click to establish the start of the Polyline Panel, then click at the Intermediate
Points where the panel should bend, then double-click to complete the line.

You can add as many Intermediate Points to the panel as required.

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The new panel is displayed in the Graphic view.

A new Panel item is added to the Tree.

5. In the Project Explorer view, select the Panel.
The Panel Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

6. Ensure that you select the correct Function for the panel so that SSC can apply the Special Service
Craft Rules correctly.

7. In the Properties view, click the Intermediate Points tab.

The Intermediate Points table is displayed in the Properties view, listing the co-ordinates of each
point on the polyline.

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8. Click the Strakes tab.

The Strakes table is displayed in the Properties view.

9. In the Strakes table, enter the required data, such as Material and Thickness.

10. In the Project Explorer view, rename the panel.

To rename an item, do one of the following:

• Select the item, then press F2.
• Right-click the item, then from the menu, select Rename Item.
• Type a new name for the item and press Enter.

To create a spline panel

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Transverse Sections branch, and select the required
transverse section.

2. On the Midship Editor toolbar, use the Zoom In button, , to enlarge the area where you are
going to insert the panel.

Enlarging the display helps you draw more accurately.

3. On the Selection and Drawing toolbar, click the down arrow next to the Panel button and select
Spline Panel.

4. In the Graphic view, click to establish the start of the Spline Panel, then click at the Intermediate
Points where the panel should curve, then double-click to complete the curve.

You can add as many Intermediate Points to the panel as required.

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The new panel is displayed in the Graphic view.

A new Panel item is added to the Tree.

5. In the Project Explorer view, select the Panel.
The Panel Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

6. Ensure that you select the correct Function for the panel so that SSC can apply the Special Service
Craft Rules correctly.

7. In the Properties view, click the Intermediate Points tab.

The Intermediate Points table is displayed in the Properties view, listing the co-ordinates of each
point on the spline curve.

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8. Click the Strakes tab.

The Strakes table is displayed in the Properties view.

9. In the Strakes table, enter the required data, such as Material and Thickness.

10. In the Project Explorer view, rename the panel.

To rename an item, do one of the following:

• Select the item, then press F2.
• Right-click the item, then from the menu, select Rename Item.
• Type a new name for the item and press Enter.

Strakes
A panel can comprise multiple strakes of material. Each panel comprises at least one strake.
The key properties of a strake within a panel are:
• Thickness

• Width
• Material
A panel is divided into strakes to change thickness or material along its length. Typically, a panel also has
one or more groups of attached secondary stiffeners. In many cases these are longitudinal. The spacing of
the attached secondary stiffeners, along with the transverse frame spacing, define the size of the plates of
sheet material that make up the panel.

To split a panel into strakes

1. In the Graphic view, select the required panel.

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The selected panel is highlighted in red.

2. In the Properties view, click the Strakes tab.

The Strakes table is displayed in the Properties view.

3. In the Strakes table, duplicate column 1 as many times as required.

To duplicate a column in a Properties table, first select the column in the table.

On the Grid Array toolbar, click the Duplicate button, .

The following window is displayed.
Set the values required and click OK.

The duplicated columns are added to the table.

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SSC calculates the width in the last column to give the actual strake width required to complete the
overall panel width as defined in the Properties table for the item. The Width in the new columns is
currently set at 0.000 mm.

4. Enter the required Width for each new strake.

The Width in the final column is recalculated so that the sum of the strake widths is equal to the
overall panel Width defined in the Panel Properties table.

5. In the Graphic view, Zoom In and select the each of the new strakes.
Each Strake is highlighted in red and labelled with the Strake number.

Using Multiple Function types for strakes within a panel

The Spline and Polyline Panel functionality allows you to define single panels composed of strakes with
different functions. For example, the Hull Form can be defined as a single panel which is then split into
individual strakes with functions of Sheerstrake, Side Shell, Bilge, Bottom and Keel.
This enhancement has the following advantages:

• it can reduce the number of panels that need to be defined, thereby simplifying the arrangement of the
Tree

• it provides greater flexibility when changing/editing the dimensions of adjacent strakes with different
functions, for example the Keel in the Bottom panel and the Sheerstrake in the Side Shell panel

• it allows stiffener groups to be defined across panel types without the need to calculate the offset

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To assign Multiple Functions to a strake within a panel

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Transverse Sections branch and select the required Spline
or Polyline panel, for example Hull Form.

The Spline or Polyline panel is selected in the Graphic view.

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2. In the Properties view, look at the Panel Properties table.

In the Function drop-down list the panel function is set to Hull Form.
3. Click the Strakes tab.

4. In the Properties view, look at the Strakes table.

Currently the panel comprises only one strake with the function Side Shell.
5. Insert as many columns into the Strakes table as required.

To duplicate a column in a Properties table, first select the column in the table.

On the Grid Array toolbar, click the Duplicate button, .

The following window is displayed.
Set the values required and click OK.

The duplicated columns are added to the table.

6. From the Function drop-down lists, select the new functions for the strakes.

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7. Enter the Width and Thickness for each new strake.

Primary and secondary stiffening

Two of the key underlying concepts of SSC are the secondary and primary stiffening that support the
plates. The software works on the principle that a combination of primary and secondary stiffening
supports all plates.
In SSC you define:

• Primary stiffening as a separate transverse or longitudinal object, using a specific tool

• Secondary stiffening as part of a panel, as a property of that panel
You can also define stiffeners that are not longitudinally effective, for example:

• Stiffeners with sniped ends

• Stiffeners that are not to be included in the transverse section calculations but which provide buckling
capability to the panel to which they are attached

To insert a longitudinal primary stiffener

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Transverse Sections branch and select the required item,
for example Midship Section.

2. On the Selection and Drawing toolbar, click the Longitudinal stiffener button, .
3. In the Transverse Section View, click where you want to position the Longitudinal stiffener.
The Longitudinal stiffener is displayed at the required position.

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An entry for the Longitudinal stiffener is created in the appropriate transverse section branch of
the Tree.

Alternatively, you can right-click the required transverse section and from the menu, select Insert Item >
Global Stiffener.

4. In the Project Explorer view, select the new Global stiffener.

The Global stiffener Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

5. Complete the Angle from vertical field as appropriate.

6. Check that the Stiffener Profile is correct, or select it from the drop-down list.

If there are any secondary stiffeners attached to the plating then SSC will automatically space them, taking
into account the primary stiffeners.

7. In the Project Explorer view, rename the Global Stiffener.

To rename an item, do one of the following:

• Select the item, then press F2.
• Right-click the item, then from the menu, select Rename Item.
• Type a new name for the item and press Enter.

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To add stiffeners to a panel

1. In the Graphic view, select the required panel.

The selected panel is highlighted in red.

2. In the Properties view, click the Stiffeners tab.

The Stiffeners table is displayed in the Properties view.

3. If required, add more columns to the Stiffeners table for additional Stiffener Groups.

To insert a column in a Properties table, first select a column in the table.

On the Grid Array toolbar, click the down arrow next to the Insert button, , and from the menu, select
whether additional columns are inserted before or after the selected column.

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A new column is added to the table.

4. Enter data in the Stiffeners table for the following:

− Id of first stiffener

− Secondary stiffener spacing

When an offset or secondary stiffener spacing is entered and an alignment is selected for non-flat panels,
the stiffeners align to the expected position. These are displayed in the Graphic view. − Stiffener effective
length

− Offset

− Count of the number of stiffeners required for the structure −

Material
5. From the Stiffener Profile drop-down list, select the required profile for each group.

6. In the Graphic view, look at the Stiffeners on the selected panel.

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The Stiffeners on the selected panel are highlighted in red.

Longitudinal and Transverse framing systems

Longitudinal framing systems
The scantling design follows the longitudinal framing system when the secondary stiffening for a structure
runs along the ship.
SSC supports the assessment of plates, longitudinal primary stiffeners and longitudinal secondary
stiffeners for the longitudinal framing system. SSC does not support the drawing and scantling
assessment of the primary stiffening that supports the panels.
Transverse framing systems
The scantling design follows the transverse framing system when the secondary stiffening for a structure
runs across the ship. SSC supports the assessment of plates and longitudinal primary stiffeners under the
transverse framing system.

To modify Framing Regions

1. In the Graphic view, select the required panel.

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The selected panel is highlighted in red.

2. In the Properties view, click the Framing Regions tab.

The Framing Regions table is displayed.

3. In the Framing Regions table, from the Framing type drop-down list select the required framing
type.

4. To increase the number of framing regions, insert more columns in the table.

To insert a column in a Properties table, first select a column in the table.

On the Grid Array toolbar, click the down arrow next to the Insert button, , and from the menu, select
whether additional columns are inserted before or after the selected column.
A new column is added to the table.

5. Enter the Width for each new Framing Region.

The Width in the final column is recalculated so that the sum of the framing region widths is
equal to the overall panel Width defined in the Panel Properties table.

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Stiffener Section Modulus Calculator

The Stiffener Section Modulus Calculator enables you to calculate the Section Modulus for stiffeners with
their attached plating. The Section Modulus is calculated automatically, based on the function and location
of the stiffeners.

To use the Stiffener Section Modulus Calculator

1. On the Library toolbar, click the Stiffener Section Modulus Calculator button, .
The Stiffener Section Modulus Calculator is displayed in a new window.

2. From the Stiffener profile drop-down list, select the required stiffener profile.
3. Enter appropriate values for:

− Thickness of attached plating, tp

− Width of attached plating, bp

− Stiffener angle from panel

− Corrosion deduction, tcorr, stiffener

− Corrosion deduction, tcorr, plating

Any changes to these properties are reflected in the schematic diagram in real-time.
The corresponding Section Properties are calculated, and are displayed in the read-only table in the Stiffener
Section Modulus Calculator window.

4. Review the calculated properties.

5. If necessary, make adjustments to the gross measurements.

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14 Assessing Transverse Sections

Once you have entered all the panels and stiffeners for a transverse section, you can view the combined
section properties in the Transverse Section Properties table. With these properties and the bending
moments in the Global Loadings Properties tables, a hull girder strength analysis can be carried out.
If you have modelled the superstructure in the Transverse Section View, you must make these structures
non-effective for bending, in order to calculate the hull girder section properties correctly.

To assess Section Properties in the Transverse Section

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Transverse Sections branch and select the required item,
for example Midship Section.
The Transverse Section Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

2. Review the Inertias and Centroids in the Transverse Section Properties table.

3. Compare these properties with the Bending Moments results in the Global Loadings branch.

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To make longitudinal structures non-effective for bending

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Transverse Sections branch and select the required item,
for example Midship Section.
The section Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.
2. In the section Properties table, ensure that the Only include effective longitudinal material?
drop-down list is set to Yes.

3. In the Project Explorer view, select the required item in the chosen transverse section.

4. In the Properties view, click the Strakes tab.

The Strakes table is displayed in the Properties view.

5. In the Strakes table, from the Is materially longitudinally effective? drop-down list for each strake,
select No.

6. In the Properties view, click the Stiffeners tab.

The Stiffeners table is displayed in the Properties view.

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7. In the Stiffeners table, from the Is materially longitudinally effective? drop-down list for each
stiffener, select No.

Repeat these steps for all the structures that you want to make longitudinally non-effective for bending.

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15 Adding Machinery
SSC has a comprehensive facility for entering information concerning the vessel's machinery.
This includes:

• Basic Machinery Data - shafts, collision loads

• Propulsion Trains - engines, turbines, gearing, propellers, shafting and thrusters
• Auxiliary Machinery - diesel engines and gearing
• Steering Gear - rudders

To enter Basic Machinery Data

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Machinery branch and select Basic Machinery Data.

The Basic Machinery Data Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.
2. In the Basic Machinery Data Properties table, enter the relevant data.

3. In the Project Explorer view, right-click Basic Machinery Data and from the menu select Insert
Item > Collision Load (mono Hull) or (multi Hull), depending on the vessel design.

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A new Collision Load item is added to the Machinery branch of the Tree.
4. In the Project Explorer view, select Collision Load.

The Collision Load Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

5. In the Collision Load Properties table, enter the relevant data.

The Properties table for multi hull vessels has the additional property: Distance from wet deck to top of
effective hull girder.

The Collision Load is calculated automatically based on vessel dimensions, material and speed.

To enter Propulsion Trains data

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Machinery branch and select Propulsion Trains.

2. Right-click Propulsion Trains and from the Insert Item menu, select one of the following:

− Diesel Engine

− Gas Turbine

− Electric Motor

− Gearing

− Shafting

− Propellers

− Thrusters

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A new Propulsion Trains item is added to the Machinery branch of the Tree.
3. In the Project Explorer view, select the new Propulsion Trains item.

The Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

4. In the Properties table, enter the relevant data .

Some of the machinery items in the Propulsion Trains branch have additional items that can be inserted if
required. The following table lists the possible options.

Ist Level Item 2nd Level Item 3rd Level Item

Diesel Engine Crankshaft Semi-Built No additional items.

Crankshaft Solid No additional items.

Gearing Meshed Pair - Pinion shaft/Wheel shaft

Ist Level Item 2nd Level Item 3rd Level Item

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Gas Turbine No additional items. No additional items.

Electric Motor No additional items. No additional items.

Gearing Meshed Pair • Pinion shaft

• Wheel shaft

Shafting Coupling bolts Close Tolerance Fitted No additional items.

Coupling Bolts Non Fitted No additional items.

Intermediate shafts Shaft key (inboard)

Screwshafts and Tube shafts • Shaft Key (inboard)

• Shaft Key (propeller connection)

Thrustshafts Shaft key (inboard)

Unprotected Screwshafts and Tube Shafts • Shaft Key (inboard)

• Shaft Key (propeller connection)

Propellers Controllable Pitch Propeller Keyless Propeller Interference Fit

Solid Propeller Keyless Propeller Interference Fit

Thrusters No additional items. No additional items.

To enter Unprotected Screwshafts and Tube Shafts data

1. In the Tree view, select Propulsion Trains.

2. Right-click and from the Insert Item menu, select Shafting.

3. A new item, Shafting, is added to the Tree view.

4. In the Tree view, select Shafting.

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5. Right click and from the Insert Item menu, select Unprotected Screwshafts And Tube Shafts.

6. In the Tree view, select Unprotected Screwshafts and Tube Shafts.

7. In the Properties table, enter the following data. Use the following table for reference.

Property Description

Shaft material From the drop-down list, select the Shaft material
previously defined in the Materials branch of the Tree.

For further information see To define a new

Material on page 83.

Shaft power Enter the value.

Shaft RPM

Shaft Diameter

Internal Diameter

Effective Shaft Diameter This is a calculated field but can be overridden.

The range of values entered must be between 0 -
1000 mm or the #RANGE error message will be displayed.

If the Required column for this field is greater

than the entered value, the Required value will be
highlighted in red.

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Property Description

Unprotected screwshafts, forward of the forward stern tube seal

Shaft material (fwd of fwd stern tube seal) Displays the Shaft material selected in the Shaft material
field.

Shaft Diameter (fwd of fwd stern tube seal) The diameter of the unprotected screwshaft forward of
the forward stern tube seal.

The default value is equal to the value entered in the Shaft

Diameter field but can be overridden. The range of values
entered must be between 0 - 1000 mm or the #RANGE
error message will be displayed.

Internal Diameter of shaft (fwd of fwd stern tube The internal diameter of the unprotected screwshaft
seal) forward of the forward stern tube seal.

The Default value is equal to the value entered in the

Internal Diameter field but can be overridden. The range
of values entered must be between 0 - 1000 mm or the
#RANGE error message will be displayed.

Propeller Coupling Coefficient, K For shaft carrying keyless propeller, K =1.22

For shaft carrying keyed propeller, K = 1.26

From the drop-down list, select one of the following: •

1.22
• 1.26

Effective Shaft Diameter (fwd of fwd stern tube This is the diameter of the equivalent solid shaft and is a
seal) calculated value, but can be overridden.
The range of values entered must be between 0 -
1000 mm or the #RANGE error message will be displayed.

If the Required column for this field is greater

than the entered value, the Required value will be
highlighted in red.

To enter Auxiliary Machinery data

1. In the Project Explorer view, expand the Machinery branch and select Auxiliary Machinery.

2. Right-click Auxiliary Machinery and from the Insert Item menu, select one of the following:

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− Diesel Engine

− Gearing

A new Auxiliary Machinery item is added to the Machinery branch of the Tree.
3. In the Project Explorer view, select the new Auxiliary Machinery item.

The Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

4. In the Properties table, enter the relevant data.

The machinery items in the Auxiliary Machinery branch have additional items that can be inserted if
required. The following table lists the possible options.

Ist Level Item 2nd Level Item 3rd Level Item

Diesel Engine Crankshaft Semi-Built No additional items.

Crankshaft Solid No additional items.

Gearing Meshed Pair - Pinion shaft/Wheel shaft

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Ist Level Item 2nd Level Item 3rd Level Item

Gearing Meshed Pair • Pinion shaft

• Wheel shaft

To enter Steering Gear data

1. In the Project Explorer view, right-click the Machinery branch and from the menu, select Insert
Item > Steering Gear.

A new Steering Gear item is added to the Machinery branch of the Tree.
2. In the Project Explorer view, select Steering Gear.

The Steering Gear Properties table is displayed in the Properties view.

The Steering Gear Properties table will only contain data if you have entered a Rudders item in the Structures
branch of the Tree.

3. In the Steering Gear Properties table, enter the relevant data.

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16 Identifying Calculation Errors and Rule Failures

When you have completed entering data into your model you will want to validate your input and locate
and correct any calculation errors or rule failures.
It is important to go about this in a systematic way. For example:
1. Check for input errors in your data or for missing data. These are likely to result in calculation
failures.
2. Correct the input errors as soon as they are identified.

3. Identify any rule failures. These are often due to input errors made when defining materials,
profiles or dimensions.
4. Correct the rule failures as soon as they are identified.
SSC notifies you of rule failures when there is a design or structural specification error. Identify and
correct these errors.

Tree data filter

The Tree data filter is located in the Tree toolbar at the top of the Project Explorer view and, by default,
displays No filter. It is extremely valuable in locating the source of Calculation Errors and Special Service
Craft Rules failures by limiting the items displayed in the Tree to those that satisfy the filter criteria.
You can choose to look at only those items:

• containing a calculation error

• that do not comply with the Special Service Craft Rules requirements
• with notes attached
• where a calculated value has been overridden.
This simplifies the process of tracking down errors and identifying the source of Special Service Craft Rules
failures.

To use the Tree data filter

1. In the Project Explorer view, click the down arrow next to the No Filter button, ,
and from the drop-down list, select the required filter.
By default, the Filters drop-down list displays No Filter.

The various filters have the following effects:

Filter Description

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No Filter - No filter is applied and all items in the file are displayed. This is the default option.

Filter Description

Rule Failures - Only items that contain calculated Rule failures are displayed. The ticks and crosses
displayed in the Tree view indicate calculation errors and not Rule failures.

Calculation Errors - Only items that contain a calculation error are displayed in the Tree.

Reference Errors - Only items that contain a reference error are displayed in the Tree.

Notes - Only items that have note(s) attached are displayed in the Tree.

Overridden Items - Only items that contain calculated values that have been overridden are displayed
in the Tree.

Overridden Items - with no notes - Only items that contain overridden calculated values but which do
not have any explanatory notes attached are displayed in the Tree.

Filters cannot be combined. To remove a filter, select the No Filter option.

2. The filtered items are displayed in the Tree.

3. In the Project Explorer view, expand the branches and select the required item.

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4. To remove the filter, click the currently displayed Filter button.

This returns the Tree to its initial state and displays all the items.

Calculation Errors

Error messages such as #DIV/0 or #REF are displayed in some fields when SSC recalculates after you enter
a value. These errors can generally be ignored while you are entering data, as they usually derive from
the fact that relevant data has not yet been entered in other structures that are significant to the
calculation. However, when you have completed the initial data entry, there may still be a few
calculations that are incomplete. These are indicated in the Tree by an symbol. Using the Filter facility,
you can quickly isolate these errors and take remedial action.

For further information about the Tree icons see Tree icons on page 247.
For further information about the filter facility see Tree data filter on page 193.

Status bar indicator

The following icon may appear in the status bar.
Icon Description

The program is actively performing calculations.

To identify and correct Calculation Errors

1. In the Project Explorer view, click the down arrow next to the No Filter button, ,
and from the drop-down list, select the required filter.

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By default, the Filters drop-down list displays No Filter.

The items with Calculation Errors are displayed in the Tree.

2. In the Project Explorer view, expand the branches and select an item with Calculation
Errors.

Items in the Tree view with Calculation Errors are marked with a cross, .

The Properties table for the selected item is displayed in the Properties view.

When the Calculation Errors filter is switched on, you can see only those tables that contain errors.

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3. To investigate a Calculation Error, select it in the Properties table.

4. In the Property Details view, click the Relationships tab.

The Relationships page is displayed.

5. In the Relationships page, expand the items in the tree.

6. Review the Relationships.

7. Right-click the property you want to edit and from the menu, select Show item.

The property is located in the relevant Properties table.

8. Edit the property as required.
9. Repeat for as many other properties as necessary.
10. In the Project Explorer view, select the original item with the Calculation Error.
If the Calculation Error has been corrected, the item will now be marked with a tick, .

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11. Look at the Properties table to review the corrected Calculation Error.

Rule Failures
The process of identifying Rule Failures is very similar to the procedure carried out to identify Calculation
Errors. In essence, select the Rule Failures option in the Tree view filter and go through the items referred
to in the Intermediate Calculations and Relationships pages.

To identify and correct Rule Failures

1. In the Project Explorer view, click the down arrow next to the No Filter button, ,
and from the drop-down list, select the required filter.
2. By default, the Filters drop-down list displays No Filter.
The items with Rule Failures are displayed in the Tree.

3. In the Project Explorer view, expand the branches and select an item with Rule Failures.

Itrems marked with a tick, , only indicates that calculations have been completed without errors - they
do not imply Rule compliance.
The Rule Failure filter does not take into account the Rule Plate Thickness Rounding policy.

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The Properties table for the selected item is displayed in the Properties view.

When the Rule Failures filter is switched on, you can see only those tables that contain errors.

4. To display the Rule compliance, hover over the values in the Required column.

5. To investigate a Rule failure, select it in the Properties table.

6. In the Project Explorer view, review the Intermediate Calcs page.

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7. Edit the property with the Rule failure, using the value in the Required column as a
guideline.

8. Repeat for as many other properties as necessary.

9. In the Project Explorer view, reapply the Rule Failures filter.
The item with the corrected Rule failure is no longer displayed.

Intermediate Calculations symbols

The following table lists the symbols that may appear in the Intermediate Calculations page.

Symbol Description

The result is a simple value, for example a plate identifier.

The result is an Intermediate Calculation required to calculate a final Rule requirement.

The result is a minimum Rule requirement, for example, minimum thickness.

The result is a maximum Rule requirement, for example, maximum stiffener spacing.

An error message is displayed.

A message explaining a requirement of the Rules requiring additional thought.

To set Rule compliance tool tips

1. In the Properties view, from the Grid Properties toolbar, click the Tooltips button, .

2. From the drop-down menu, select the required option:

Option Description

% Rule The Entered value meets x % of the Required value.

Rule Variance The Entered value varies from the Required value by x.

% Rule Variance The variance between the Entered and Required values is x % of the Required value.

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17 Tracking revisions
SSC has the facility to compare and analyse two project files and identify the differences between
them. This is particularly useful for identifying variations when a design has been modified and
resubmitted.

Tracking revisions
In the following example two projects are compared to examine the differences between them:

• Passenger vessel.ssc

• Passenger vessel - modified.ssc

To track revisions

1. Open the modified project file.

2. From the Tools menu, select Compare Files.

The Open window is displayed.

3. Select the original project file, and open it.
The Comparing data files window is displayed.

When the comparison is complete, a new window opens.

This is similar in style to the workspace and is divided into two re-sizeable panes.

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On the left of the window is a tree, which can be expanded and collapsed to show the items in
the project. The right-hand pane provides the results, with the name of the applied filter at the
top.

A symbol indicating the type of difference is displayed to the left of the file icon for each item.
If a combination of differences results from the file comparison, such as both edited and new
items being present in the same branch, the symbols are superimposed.

Symbol Description

New items.

Edited items.

Deleted items.

New and edited items.

New and deleted items

Edited and deleted items.

New, edited and deleted items.

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4. Expand the Tree and select the item you want to review for comparison.

The Results view displays a set of tables showing the differences between the two projects. The
text colour is coded to indicate the status of the results.

Text Colour Description

Red Edited Items - Values displayed in red text represent items
that exist in both the original project and in the comparison
project but which have different values.
Blue Deleted Items - Values displayed in blue text represent
items that exist in the original project but do not exist in
the second project.
Green New Items - Values displayed in green text represent items
that exist in the second project but do not exist in the original
project.

5. In Tree view, click the down arrow in the Filter drop-down list to select another option, for
example Edited Items.
When an option is selected, data is filtered so that only the results that meet the filter criteria
are displayed.
In the case of a comparison when a design has been modified to correct Rule failures, this
option identifies the items that have been changed in the revised design.

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Edited Items are displayed in red text.

6. To display items that have been added to the design, from the Filter drop-down list, select New
Items.
New Items are displayed in green text.

7. To display items that have been removed from the design, use the Deleted Items filter option.

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Deleted Items are displayed in blue text.

You can print the currently displayed results using the usual WindowsTM print commands. From the File
menu, select Print. This will bring up a Print Preview window from which you can choose to Print or
Cancel the operation.
Alternatively, from the File menu, select Export to HTML to export a file for printing via an Internet
browser.

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18 Working with Graphs

SSC provides you with the facility to produce a variety of graphs to represent the relationship between two
or more properties.
You can produce graphs for any related values. It is possible to create line or bar charts depending on the
type of data being plotted. In cases where a graphical representation of the data is not appropriate, or
further analysis is required, you can also display the results in a tabular format.
The completed graph is attached to the item originally selected in the Tree or Properties table when the
graph was defined.

To create a Graph

To create a graph it is necessary to specify the values to be used for the X and Y series.
SSC can display multiple Y series results.
1. Select the item for which you want to plot data.

2. On the Tree toolbar, click the Insert Graph button, .

The Graph Wizard, Define X Series window is displayed.

To define the X Series

1. In the Define X Series window, select an item from the selection box.

2. In the Range area, specify your upper and lower limits for the X axis in the From and To
fields.

3. In the Plot area, to define the X series scale, either:

− select Steps if you want the values to be plotted as a number of equally spaced steps, and
in the input field, enter the number of steps you require.

− select Every if you want the values to be plotted at regular intervals, and in the input field,
enter the X series interval.

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Using more sample points will produce a more representative and smoother curve allowing smaller
features to be observed. However, requesting more points for plotting will affect the time taken to
calculate the graph.

4. If required, change the X Axis Title, by overtyping the default label with a new title.
By default, the X Axis Title field contains the name of the property attribute you chose initially.

5. When you have completed the Define X Series window, click Next.
The Define Y Series window is displayed.

To define the Y Series

You can select any number of properties to be plotted on the Y axis against the selected X axis.
The Define Y Series window displays the dependant items that are relevant to the selection you made for
the X Axis. A text call out is shown, displaying the full length of text, when you point to an item in the
selection box.
1. In the selection box, point to the required dependant item and check the text in the call
out.

2. Click the item to select it.

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To select more than one item, click each item while holding down the Ctrl key.

3. In the Y series area, to define in the scale for the Y series, either:

− enable the Auto Scale check box to use the scale generated by SSC

− clear the Auto Scale check box and in the From and To fields, specify your upper and
lower limits for the Y axis.
4. If required, change the Y Axis Title, by overtyping the default label with a new title.
By default, the Y Axis Title field contains the name of the first item chosen in the selection list.

5. When you have completed the Define Y Series window, click Next.
The Display Options window is displayed.

To define the Display Options

1. In the Display Options window, enable or clear the check boxes to select the options you
require in the Display area.
2. In the Plot area, select one of the four options:

− Scatter

− Lines

− Scatter and lines

− Bar chart

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3. In the Graph Title field, overtype the default label with new title.

4. Click Finish.
The graph will now be calculated.
The graph is displayed in the Graphic view.

To use Graph formatting tools

SSC provides a number of options for altering the display format of the graphs. These are available from
the Graph toolbar or from the Graph Wizard. You can display the graph properties at any time by doing
any of the following:

• Double-click the graph itself.

• On the Graph toolbar, click the Graph Properties button, .

Graph toolbar buttons

The following table describes the buttons on the Graph toolbar.

Button Description
Graph Properties - Opens the Graph Wizard.

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Button Description

Horizontal Gridlines - Turns horizontal gridlines on or off in the displayed graph.

V ertical Gridlines - Turns vertical gridlines on or off in the displayed graph.

Legend - Displays or hides a text box containing the graph's title description. The view of the graph expands
when Legend is toggled to the 'off' setting.

Background - Turns the background colour on or off.

Scatter - Displays the graph as scatter points.

Lines - Displays the graph as line(s).

Scatter/Lines - (default) Displays the graph as line(s) together with scatter points.

Bar - Displays the graph as a bar chart.

Sw itch views - Toggles the view between the graph and the graph data table.

Delete

To use SSC Graphs in other applications

1. To copy the graph to the clipboard, in the Graphic view, click the chart area, then do one
of the following:

− From the Edit menu, select Copy.

− On the Standard toolbar, click the Copy button, .

2. Open the application into which you wish to paste the graph.

3. To insert the graph into the other application, do one of the following:

− From the Edit menu, select Paste.

− On the Standard toolbar, click the Paste button, .

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19 Using the Solution Finder

You often need to know the value to enter into a field in order to produce the desired result in a
calculated field. The Solution Finder allows you to do this.
In the Solution Finder, enter the value that you require the calculated field to have, then specify the input
property to be assessed. The Solution Finder calculates the input value required to produce the requested
result.
The Solution Finder simplifies optimisation of the design of a vessel within the Special Service Craft Rules
by using advanced mathematics, and iterative re-calculation to find which combination of adjustable
values produces the desired effect.
As many complex calculations may be involved it may take some time before the result is presented.
The Solution Finder algorithm can also deal with non-linear functions.
Where multiple solutions are identified they are all presented.

To find a Solution

1. In the Properties view, select a required Property from the relevant Properties table.

2. On the Standard toolbar, click the Solution Finder button, .

The Solution Finder window is displayed.
In the Make field, the selected Property is displayed.
There is a drop-down arrow allowing you to select other calculated values from the Properties
table, if required.

3. In the Value Equal to box, enter the required value.

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4. In the By Varying panel, expand Antecedents.

5. Select the antecedent for which you want to establish a new value.
6. Click OK.
The Solution Finder displays an hour-glass cursor while making its calculations. This is to
indicate that they may take some time.
Depending on the nature of the original request, more than one solution may be provided.

7. Select the solution, if it is appropriate.

The Yes button is now enabled.

8. Click Yes.

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The revised values are now entered into the Properties table.

9. If the solution is not appropriate, click No to abandon this solution.

You may get a more satisfactory result by running Solution Finder again and revising the
values you enter.

Error messages in Solution Finder

Sometimes it is not possible to calculate the solution because one is not available within the allowable range
for the property being varied. In this case, the Solution Finder displays an error message.
The most common error reported is:

This message can be misleading because of the nature of the iterative process used to find the answer. If
this occurs you can try altering the data manually to establish a viable answer.

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20 Finalising Items
You can lock items in the Project Explorer view to indicate that all the data has been defined for the item
and that you are satisfied with the results. However, if for some reason conditions are changed, by a
change in specification for example, you can also unfinalise the item if necessary at a later date.
Finalised items are displayed in bold text in the Tree. They cannot be edited while they are locked.

When you finalise a parent item, all of the children of that item are also finalised.

To finalise and unfinalise items

1. In the Project Explorer view, right-click the required item and from the menu, select Finalise.

The selected item and its child items have now been locked and cannot be edited.
Items that have been finalised are shown in grey text.

If you select an item that is finalised, the Tree menu contains the Unfinalise option.
2. To return an item to its original condition, highlight the item and select Unfinalise.

3. Select either Current Item or Current Item and Children.

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4. Click OK.
The selected item(s) return to the unfinalised state.

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21 Creating Reports
SSC provides comprehensive reporting features that encompass all data that has been entered for each
project. Reports are fully formatted and can be used selectively to report on individual items or parent
branches with all child branches represented in the Report.
It is also possible to filter the report according to certain criteria.

As the full report for all data entered into a project will be extensive and substantial it is often
advisable to select reports on the individual items you are interested in before printing your final
report, incorporating the total data.
It is often helpful to print a report on a specific item in order to check the data entered in SSC against the original,
especially when trying to locate an input error.

Getting started with the Report Configuration Tool

The Report Configuration Tool can be accessed from both inside or outside SSC.

To open the Report Configuration Tool from outside SSC

If SSC is not open, the Report Configuration Tool can be accessed from the Microsoft® Start menu.
1. From the Start menu, select All Programs > Lloyd's Register > SSC 2020.0 > Report Filters.
The following window is displayed.

2. Select one of the following options:

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To ... Do the following:

Open an existing report file 1. From the File menu, select Open.
The Microsoft® Open window is displayed.

2. From the Open window, navigate to the folder where the

report file is installed, for example C:\Program
Files\Lloyd's Register\SSC 2020.0\Report Templates.

3. Double-click the required report (*.rcf) file.

Create a new report template 1. Do one of the following:

• From the File menu, select New.

• Click the New button, .

2. Follow the steps in Creating a new report template on

page 224.

To open the Report Configuration Tool from within SSC

1. Open the required SSC file.

2. From the File menu, select Print Report.
The Reports window opens.

Item Description

Report Tool Open the Report Filters Project application with the selected report open.

Directory Browse for the directory containing the report templates.

Refresh Refresh the view.

Print Preview Preview the report in Word.

Print Print the report using Word.

Create HTML Create an HTML version of the report.

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Help Opens the SSC Help function.

For further information see Getting Help - SSC on page 49.

Close Close the Reports window.

3. Do one of the following:

− Click Report Tool to open the Report Configuration Tool.

− Follow the steps in To open a report template on page 221.

Using report templates

SSC sample report templates

When SSC is installed, a selection of sample report templates are provided.

To open a report template

1. In the Reports window, click Directory.

The Microsoft® Browse for Folder window is displayed.
2. Navigate to the folder where the report file is installed, for example C:\Program Files
(x86)\Lloyd's Register\SSC 2020.0\Report Templates.
3. Select the required folder, for example Report Templates.
4. Click OK.
A list of the available templates is displayed in the Reports window.

You should only need to populate the Reports window after installing SSC and using it for the first time.
Subsequently the list of available templates will be displayed.

5. In the Documents window, select the required report for example Structure.rcf.
6. Click Report Tool.
SSC automatically sets the correct database.

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The SSCReportFilters window opens.

7. Look at the selection criteria for the report.

In this example, Structure is selected with no conditions set.

For further information see To create a report using conditions on page 224.
Expand the branch and look at the attributes that are selected.

8. To continue, select one of the following options:

To... Do the following:

preview and print an existing report Follow the steps in To preview and print a report on
page 223.

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To... Do the following:

create a new report template 1. Click Report Tool.

The ReportFilters application opens.

2. Follow the steps in Creating a new report

template on page 224.

To preview and print a report

1. In the Project Explorer view, click the item you want to report on.

To check that the report contains only the material you wish to see at this time you are recommended to
preview the report using the Print Preview option.

2. To open the Print Preview window, do one of the following:

− From the File menu, select Print Preview.

− On the Standard toolbar, click the Print Preview button, .

3. From the Print Preview window, select the Print range option you require from the following
options:

− All

− Pages

− Selection

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The default radio button is All. This option prints the entire report for the project, which may amount to
many pages.
If you only want a report on a particular item or section it is better to use the Selection option so that only
your selected item(s) are previewed or printed.

4. Click OK.
The Print Preview window opens showing your selection.

5. You can examine the data using the Zoom feature.

The preview page opens with the Zoom feature enabled.
6. Click the page to enlarge it.

After two enlargements the page returns to normal full-page size. You can also use the Zoom In, and
Zoom Out buttons.

7. To print the report click Print.

Creating a new report template

Report templates can be created by selecting branches, sub-branches and individual attributes and
conditional constraints can be applied limiting the data to report. For example, a report can be generated
on panels of a certain type or show items that do not meet a specific value.
The following sections describe the steps required to create these examples.

To create a report using conditions

This section uses:

passenger vessel.ssc

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This example demonstrates how to create a report using conditions and values such as the example report
Panel Selection.rcf supplied with SSC.

1. In the ReportFilters window select File > New.

For further information about opening the ReportFilters window see Getting started with the Report
Configuration Tool on page 219.

A new ReportFilters project windows opens.

2. Expand the branch that contains the attributes to filter in the report and drill down to the
required item, for example Midship Section > Panel.

Selecting an item automatically selects all sub items, therefore unless the report is to contain all the
branches and sub branches, a specific item is selected.

3. Repeat selection in the Transverse Sections branch to include items from other transverse
sections in the model.

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4. To set conditions for the report, highlight the item.

5. On the ReportFilters toolbar, click the Conditions button, .

The Condition window opens.
Select the required attribute for example Default function and enter the required conditions in
the Value field.

6. Click the down arrow next to Conditions and select the required option.

The Conditions available vary according to the V alue you have entered.

If the attribute is a .... then the Conditions available are ...

w ord = (equal)
!= (not equal)

value = (equal)
!= (not equal)
> (greater than)
< (less than)
>= (greater than or equal)
<= (less than or equal)

The Join function allows the inclusion of additional conditions. This allows for more complex
statements to be developed, for example:

− Show if function = Inner Bottom OR function = side shell − Show

if thickness < requirement OR thickness < requirement2

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7. Click OK.

The Conditions window opens.

8. Click Add to specify an additional condition The Conditions window re-opens.

9. Repeat Step 6 to specify an additional condition, for example Default function = Side Shell.
10. Click Close.
The ReportFilters window updates to display the set conditions.
11. From the ReportFilters menu, select File > Save As.
The Save As window is displayed.
12. In the Report Templates folder, save the file.

The saved report template can now be accessed from the Reports window.
13. Follow the steps in To preview and print a report on page 223.

To create a report using comparing two or more calculated values

In this example the report is comparing two or more calculated values, the results of thickness calculations
for Strakes and Stiffeners with required thicknesses is created.
1. In the ReportFilters window, select File > New.

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A new ReportFilters project window opens.

2. Expand the branch that contains the item to filter in the report and drill down to the required
branch, for example Midship Section > Panel then select the required attributes in the
righthand pane, for example Strakes and Stiffeners.

3. To set conditions for the Report, select the first item for example Strakes.

4. On the ReportFilters toolbar, click the Conditions button, .

The Condition window opens.

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The Condition window splits to allow you to select multiple attributes. The top section
contains the attribute on the left of the comparison expression and the bottom attribute
contains the attribute on the right of the comparison expression, for example Thickness <
Required Thickness.
5. Select the required attributes.
6. Click the down arrow next to Condition and select the required option.
If you want to apply more than one condition, click the down arrow next to Join and select
the required option. The options are as follows:

Option Description

Or Either condition 1 or condition 2 is true.

And Both condition 1 and condition 2 are true.

7. Click OK.
The Conditions window opens, displaying the first selection.

8. Click Add to specify an additional condition.

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The Conditions window re-opens.

9. Add the required conditions.

10. Click OK.
11. In the Conditions window, check the data you have selected is correct.
12. Click Close.
13. In the ReportFilters window, select the second item required, for example Stiffeners.

14. Repeat the steps 4 to 12 to set the Conditions required.

15. Click Close.
16. From the ReportFilters menu, select File > Save As.
17. In the Report Templates folder, save the file.

The saved report template can now be accessed from the Reports window.

18. Follow the steps in To preview and print a report on page 223.

Creating and editing HTML reports

The Report Configuration Tool can create an HTML report which can then be updated in
Microsoft® Word or Microsoft® Excel.

To create an HTML Report

1. Open the required report template.

2. In the Reports window, click Create HTML.
The Save As window is displayed.
3. Save the file in the required location with a suitable name.

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The following message is displayed.

4. Click Yes.

If No is selected, the report is saved in the specified location.

The report is displayed in Explorer.

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Editing an HTML Report

To edit an HTML report in Microsoft® Word

1. In Explorer, from the File menu, select Edit with Microsoft® Word.

The file opens in Microsoft® Word. Edit and save the file as required.

To edit an HTML report in Microsoft® Excel

1. To open the file in Microsoft Excel, do one of the following:

− Select the file in Windows Explorer.

− Right-click and from the menu, select the Open With function.
2. Open the file from within Microsoft® Excel.
3. Edit and save the file as required.

Defining report printing options

To define report printing options

1. From the Tools menu, select Options.

The General Options window is displayed.

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2. From the navigation panel, click Printing.

The Print Options window is displayed.

3. In the Print What panel, click to select or deselect the elements to include or exclude in the
report.

Use the vertical scroll bar to see additional items in the Print What list.
There are four formatting options below the selection box.
Use Print Preview before printing, to ensure that the selection is exactly what is required.

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4. If a report is required on the Midship Section or another transverse section, from the
navigation panel, click Transverse Printing.

5. To Print the report, do one of the following:

− On the Standard toolbar, click the Print button, .

− From the File menu, select Print.

− Press Ctrl+P on the keyboard.

Ensure that you have selected the item(s) you require before printing. Do not print the entire report by
mistake.

Print Range Content of Report

All The report contains every item in the current project.

The report includes only those items that fall within the selected range of
Pages page numbers.

The report is specific to the highlighted item and any child items below it in
Selection the Tree.

6. Click Finish.
The Options Wizard closes.

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Appendix A - SSC toolbars

It is important to become familiar with the SSC toolbars, as some facilities can only be activated from the
relevant toolbar. Not all toolbar commands are reproduced in the menu system.
The following sections provide details of the toolbars and how they are used.

Format Notes toolbar

Location: Notes page in the Property Details view
The Format Notes toolbar provides standard formatting tools which enable you to format your notes.

Button Description

Font - Displays the font that will be applied to text. Clicking on the down arrow enables
you to select a different font.

Font size - Displays the size of the text. Clicking on the down arrow enables you to select
a different size.

Bold - Applies Bold style to text.

Italic - Applies Italic style to text.

Underline - Applies an underline to text.

Colour - Displays the colour palette enabling you to change the font colour.

Numbering - Applies numbering to text.

Bullets - Applies bullets to text.

Decrease Indent - Decreases the indent of text.

Increase Indent - Increases the indent of text.

Align Left - Aligns text to the left.

Center - Centres the text.

Align Right - Aligns text to the right.

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Graph toolbar
Location: The Graph View
The Graph toolbar provides tools for creating and formatting graphs in SSC.

Button Description
Graph Properties - Displays the graph properties.

Horizontal Gridlines - Turns horizontal gridlines on or off in the displayed graph.

V ertical Gridlines - Turns vertical gridlines on or off in the displayed graph.

Legend - Displays or hides a text box containing the graph's title description. The view of the graph expands
when Legend is toggled to the 'off' setting.

Background - Turns the background colour on or off.

Scatter - Displays the graph as scatter points.

Lines - Displays the graph as line(s).

Scatter/Lines - (default) Displays the graph as line(s) together with scatter points.

Bar chart - Displays the graph as a bar chart.

Sw itch views - Toggles the view between the graph and the graph data table.

Delete - Deletes the graph.

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Grid Array toolbar

Location: The Properties View.
The Grid Array toolbar provides tools for formatting user-defined Properties tables in SSC.

Button Description
Insert - Inserts new items in the Properties table according to the following options:
• Insert After
• Insert Before

Delete - Deletes selected items from the Properties table.

Duplicate - Duplicates the selected items in the Properties table.

Reverse - Reverses the order of the items in the Properties table.

Grid Properties toolbar

Location: Properties view
The Grid Properties toolbar provides tools for formatting and filtering the contents of the Properties table.

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Button Description

Zoom In - Zooms into the Properties table.

Zoom Out - Zooms out of the Properties table.

Zoom Normal - Returns the Properties table to normal size.

Decimal Places - Controls the number of decimal places displayed in the Properties table. The
default is 3.

Grid lines - Controls the display of grid lines in the Properties tables. The default is All lines.

Tooltips - Controls the Rule compliance tool tips.

Filters - Restricts the fields displayed in the tables in the Properties view.

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Intermediate Calculations toolbar

Location: Intermediate Calcs view
The Intermediate Calculations toolbar provides tools which find Rules referenced in the Intermediate
Calculations page and print the Intermediate Calculations.

Button Description

Find rule - Displays the Rule(s) associated with items displayed in the Intermediate Calculations page.

Print Intermediate Calculations - Prints the Intermediate Calculations in a user-friendly format.

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Library toolbar
Location: Project Explorer view
The Library toolbar provides tools for managing materials and profiles within your SSC project.

Button Description
Display Library - Displays the Materials and Profiles Library.

Import Resources - Imports a user-defined resource file containing materials and profiles specification
data.

Export Resources - Exports a user-defined resource file containing materials and profiles from the
current project to a new resource file.

Stiffener Section Modulus Calculator - Opens the Stiffener Section Modulus Calculator window.

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Midship Editor toolbar

Location: The Graphic View
The Midship Editor toolbar provides a range of tools used to create or modify structures in the current
Transverse Section displayed in the Graphic view.

Button Description
Standard mode - Standard selection cursor.

Radial select - Selects all the panels and strakes in the structure that is currently selected in the
Transverse Sections branch of the Tree view.

Zoom In - Zooms into the selected window or pane.

Zoom Out - Zooms out of the selected window or pane.

Size to fit - Sizes the current transverse section to fit the Graphic view.

Magnify - Displays a magnifying glass tool which provides an enlarged view of local features in the
current Transverse Section View.

Labels - Displays the strake, stiffener and space, scantlings identifiers and dimensions in the current
transverse section.

Colour Structure - Colours the strakes and stiffeners in the Transverse Section View to indicate
percentage ranges of compliance with the Rules, or the material in which they are constructed,
according to the option you select.

Reflects the image - Displays the reflected panels in the Transverse Section View.

Show/hide construction lines - Displays the construction lines in the Transverse Section View.

Transverse section copy utility - Makes a copy of the current transverse section. You can edit data in
the copied section to define a new transverse section.

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Selection and Drawing toolbar

Location: The Graphic View
The Selection and Drawing toolbar provides a range of tools for drawing panels in the Transverse Section
View.

Button Description
Longitudinal stiffener - Adds new longitudinal stiffener(s).

Panels - Allows you to draw a panel of one of the following types:

• Flat panel
• Angled flat panel
• Curved panel
• Centred curved panel
• Spline panel

Construction Lines - Allows you to draw a construction line of one of the

following types:
• Construction line at any angle
• Construction line at a specified angle
• Horizontal construction line
• Vertical construction line

Trim/Extend - According to the option you select, either shortens or

extends the selected line to connect with the datum line.

Convert reflection - Generates data for the 'other' side of the Transverse
Section about the centreline.

Due to the complexity of the calculations you cannot undo this

function.

Draw ing options - Displays the Drawing Options window.

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Standard toolbar
Location: Below the SSC Menu bar.
The Standard toolbar provides the tools that you find in a typical Windows application, together with
some additional ones specific to SSC.

Button Description
New - Opens the SSC Start-up Wizard.

Open - Opens the standard Windows open dialog box enabling you to select the file you need to open.

Save - Saves changes to the current file.

Print - Prints the contents of the current file.

Print Preview - Displays the report to be printed.

Cut - Removes the currently selected item to the clipboard.

Copy - Copies the currently selected item to the clipboard.

Paste - Pastes the previously copied item from the clipboard to the selected item.

Undo - Undoes the last action(s). Click the down arrow to see a list of previous actions.

Redo - Reinstates the last action(s). Click the down arrow to see a list of previous actions.

Solution Finder - Opens the Solution Finder window.

Send Mail - Opens Microsoft Outlook, creating an e-mail with the current project file attached.

Context Help - Displays the online help.

Toolbar Options - Displays the Add or Remove menu and sub-options. Enables you to add or remove buttons
on the Standard toolbar.

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Standard Notes toolbar

Location: Notes page in the Properties Details view
The Standard Notes toolbar provides the tools that you find in a typical Windows application.

Button Description
Cut - Removes the currently selected item to the clipboard.

Copy - Copies the currently selected item to the clipboard.

Paste - Pastes the previously copied item from the clipboard to the selected item.

Undo - Undoes the last action.

Redo - Reinstates the last action.

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Tree toolbar
Location: Project Explorer view
The Tree toolbar provides tools to change the Project Explorer tree structure.

Button Description

Filter option - Filters the items displayed in the Tree. Displays the currently selected filter option.

Insert - Opens the Insert dialog box enabling you to insert an item into the selected folder.

Insert Graph - Runs the Graph Wizard.

Delete - Deletes the selected item from the Tree.

Promote - Moves the selected item up one position in the list of items.

Demote - Moves the selected item down one position in the list of items.

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Appendix B - Icons and symbols

This appendix explains the icons and symbols used in SSC.

Tree icons

Items in the Tree display a small icon before their name to indicate the status of the calculations attached to
the item or its children.
The icons displayed are listed below.

Icon Description
Plus sign - This branch of the Tree is a parent folder, which can be expanded to show additional subfolder
branches known as children in the context of SSC.

Minus sign - When a branch has been expanded, this branch of the Tree can be collapsed to hide the sub-
folders that are the children of the parent branch.

All calculations on this item and its children are complete and there are no errors. Note,
however, that there may be Rule deficiencies in the item.

One or more calculations on this item (or its children) have #REF errors. If a child of an item has errors, then
the parent of that item will also show errors.

One or more calculations on this item (or its children) have #DIV/0 or #RANGE errors. If a child of an item
has errors, then the parent of that item will also show errors.

Calculations are pending for this item. Calculations are either currently being carried out or stalled. Check
the Status Bar for the Calculation icon.

This item has notes attached to it.

Children of this item have notes but the parent itself does not have any notes.

This parent item has notes, and children of the item have notes.

This item has been locked and cannot be modified. This is to protect the integrity of items added from
Libraries such as Materials and Profiles, which have specifications conforming to validated Industrial
Standards.

Panel and details symbols

Symbols are used in the Tree view branches to indicate parent branch sections, structure types and the
type of material or profile.

Symbol Description
Anchor Cable, Chain Cable

Anchoring and Mooring, Anchors, Equipment Number

Auxillary Machinery, Propulsion Trains, Diesel Engine

Bar Keel, Bar Stem

Basic Data

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Bottom Shell, Single Bottom

Bulkheads, Watertight Bulkhead, Collision Bulkhead

Classification

Symbol Description
Collision Load

Coupling Bolts

Couplings

Craft

Crankshaft - Semibuilt, Solid

Curved Panel

Deck Plating, Landing Area Plating, Superstructure Plating

Deck Stiffening, Side Shell Stiffening, Superstructure Stiffening

Deck Structure

Deep Tank Bulkhead

Double Bottom

Duct Keel

Electric Motor

Flat Panel, Construction Line, Transverse Frame Spacing

Frame

Gas Turbine

Gearing, Meshed Pair

Keel Plate, Stern Plate

Longitudinal Primary Stiffener

Loading Condition

Basic Machinery Data

Material - Aluminium

Material/Profile - Composite

Material - Core

Material - Fibre

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Material - Steel, Machinery Material

Midship Section

Pillars, Rectangular Pillar, Tubular Pillar

Pintles

Profile - Built T

Profile - Built L

Profile - Corrugation

Profile - Flat Bar

Symbol Description
Profile - Rolled Bulb

Propellers, Propeller/Hull Clearances, Propeller Material

Rudder Horn

Rudders, Rudder Details, Rudder Geometry, Rudder Stock, Scantlings

Shaft brackets, Double Arm, Single Arm

Shafting

Side Shell

Steering Gear

Stern Frames

Superstructure

Superstructure Primary Stiffener

Towline, Mooring Ropes, Fibre Rope, Wire Rope

Thrust Nozzles, Thrusters

Vehicle Deck Plating, Vehicle Deck Stiffening

Window

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Filter option symbols

Large projects may contain a large number of items in the Tree. There are filters to assist you in selecting the
particular information you want to view.

Filter Description
No Filter - No filter is applied and all items in the file are displayed. This is the default option.

Rule Failures - Only items that contain calculated Rule failures are displayed. The ticks and
crosses displayed in the Tree view indicate calculation errors and not Rule failures.

Calculation Errors - Only items that contain a calculation error are displayed in the Tree.

Reference Errors - Only items that contain a reference error are displayed in the Tree.

Notes - Only items that have note(s) attached are displayed in the Tree.

Overridden Items - Only items that contain calculated values that have been overridden are
displayed in the Tree.

Overridden Items - with no notes - Only items that contain overridden calculated values but which
do not have any explanatory notes attached are displayed in the Tree.

Filters cannot be combined. To remove a filter, select the No Filter option.

Intermediate Calculations symbols

The following table lists the symbols that may appear in the Intermediate Calculations page.

Symbol Description

The result is a simple value, for example a plate identifier.

The result is an Intermediate Calculation required to calculate a final Rule requirement.

The result is a minimum Rule requirement, for example, minimum thickness.

The result is a maximum Rule requirement, for example, maximum stiffener spacing.

An error message is displayed.

A message explaining a requirement of the Rules requiring additional thought.

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Appendix C - Messages and Indicators

Various messages may be displayed in the property cells during an editing session. These act as a useful
guide, indicating incomplete data entry, or data entry error such as failure to input data in the appropriate
units.

Calculation Error messages

The following table describes the text that may be displayed in calculated fields in the Properties tables.

Message Description
The calculation for the value has not been completed yet, because the program is
recalculating. After a few seconds the message will clear to be replaced with a calculated
value or another more specific message.
The length of time this message is displayed depends on the speed of the PC on which the
program is running and the size and complexity of your model.

The calculation has failed due to an attempt to calculate a value from data, which contains a
non-valid zero value. This is usually due to the fact that the required data has not yet been
input. If the calculation formula carries out a division process where the required data for the
divisor has not been entered and is a default zero then a division by zero message will be
displayed.
Check the values of your input data and use the Intermediate Calculations page in the
Property Details view to assist you in tracking down and locating the source of your error.
The data for an item that the calculation depends on is missing. This is usually because the
required data has not been input yet and so has not been defined.

For example, perhaps you have not specified a required stiffener profile, or defined an item in
the Tree. The intermediate results window will indicate which item is missing.

An entered value is outside the range of reasonable values defined in the error checking
procedures programmed into SSC.
Placing the mouse pointer over the error message in the grid will display a callout text box
indicating the valid range.

If the range indicated is zero, you have probably not yet defined a data item required to calculate
the expected range of values.

Status bar indicator

The following icon may appear in the status bar.

Icon Description
The program is actively performing calculations.

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Document Conventions • 10 Drawing

Index tools • 146, 159
Duplicate Library Items • 81
A
Dynamic Loading Conditions • 113
Adding Machinery • 183
E
Additional Data • 71
Editing a calculated value in a Properties table •
Aims and Audience • 9
30
Anchoring and Mooring data • 73
Editing an HTML Report • 232
Antecedents and Dependants • 22
Entering data in the Details branch • 69
Appendix A - SSC toolbars • 43, 235 Appendix B
Entering panel design • 151
- Icons and symbols • 22, 247
Error messages in Solution Finder • 215
Appendix C - Messages and Indicators • 251
Assessing Transverse Sections • 180 F
Average skin stress • 93, 96 Filter option symbols • 250
B Finalising Items • 125, 217
Basic Data • 69 Format Notes toolbar • 235
Formatting in Properties tables • 33
C Framing View • 26
Calculation Error messages • 251 Functions of the Transverse Section View • 134
Calculation Errors • 195
G
Carrying out the Security Registration • 16
Changing the Appearance • 45 Getting Help • 49, 220
Classification Data • 70 Getting Started with SSC • 19
Getting started with the Report Configuration
Collapsing and expanding sub-sections in a
Tool • 219, 225
Properties table • 34
Graph toolbar • 236
Combined Loading Conditions • 121
Graph toolbar buttons • 210
Composite panels • 93 Composite
Graphic view • 23
schedules • 89
Grid Array toolbar • 237
Composite stiffeners • 97
Grid Properties toolbar • 238
Controlling the view arrangement • 43
Converting Reflections • 140 H
Craft data • 71 History view • 22
Creating a new report template • 220, 223, 224
Creating a project with the SSC Start Wizard • I
57 Identifying Calculation Errors and Rule Failures •
Creating a Resource Project Library • 100 37, 193
Creating and defining new panels • 139, 154 Installing SSC • 13
Creating and editing HTML reports • 230 Installing SSC software • 13
Creating Reports • 219 Intermediate Calculations page • 34, 52
Cross ply (X-ply) analysis • 130 Intermediate Calculations symbols • 37, 200,
250
D Intermediate Calculations toolbar • 239
Defining a new Material • 83 Introduction • 9
Defining custom Materials and Profiles • 77, 80,
83 L
Defining report printing options • 232 Defining Library toolbar • 240
Structure • 125 Locked Items • 80
Defining the Loadings • 103 Longitudinal and Transverse framing systems •
Defining the Transverse Sections • 138 177

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Longitudinal View • 24 T
M The SSC workspace • 19
To activate a Licence • 17
Materials and Profiles Library • 80
To add a Transverse Section • 138
Midship Editor toolbar • 241
To add stiffeners to a panel • 175
N To assess Section Properties in the Transverse
Notes page • 39 Section • 180
To assign Multiple Functions to a strake within a
panel • 171
O To attach a Note to a Project Explorer view item
• 39
Organising the Project Explorer view • 46
To attach a Note to a Properties field • 39
P To change the Auto Recovery frequency • 66 To
Panel and details symbols • 247 close projects and quit SSC • 68
Panels • 151 To convert a reflection • 140
Parents and Children • 21 To copy items from the Library • 81, 82, 101
Primary and secondary stiffening • 173 To copy Transverse Sections • 139
Project Explorer structure • 21 To create a centred curved panel • 159
Project Explorer view • 20 To create a composite panel • 94, 130
Properties tables • 28 To create a composite stiffener • 98
Properties view • 28 To create a curved panel • 161
Property Details view • 34 To create a flat panel • 157
To create a Graph • 207
R To create a polyline panel • 164
Relationships page • 37 To create a report using comparing two or more
Resizing views • 45 calculated values • 227
Returning to a calculated value in a Properties To create a report using conditions • 222, 224
table • 31 To create a spline panel • 166
Rig Loading Conditions • 117 To create an HTML Report • 230
Rule Failures • 198 To customise toolbars • 43
S To define a core for a composite schedule • 84,
89
Saving Projects and Closing SSC • 65
To define a fibre for a composite schedule • 84,
Selection and Drawing toolbar • 145, 242
91
Setting Property table options • 32
To define a Loading Condition • 103
Software Conventions • 10
To define a new Material • 83, 187
SSC and Project files • 47
To define a new Profile • 86
SSC Minimum System Requirements • 13
To define Combined Loading Conditions • 121
SSC sample report templates • 221
To define Dynamic Loading Conditions • 114
SSC Start Wizard - Navigation panel • 57
To define new Resource projects • 100
SSC toolbars • 43
To define report printing options • 232
Standard Notes toolbar • 244
To define Rig Loading Conditions • 118
Standard toolbar • 243
To define Still Water Loading Conditions • 106
Status bar indicator • 195, 251
To define Structures • 125
Stiffener Section Modulus Calculator • 179
To define the Display Options • 209
Still Water Loading Conditions • 106
To define the X Series • 207
Strakes • 168
To define the Y Series • 208
Structure View • 27
To define Vertical Wave Loading Conditions •

254
 User Guide SSC 2020

110 To move items down the Project Explorer • 46

To delete a Note • 41 To move items up the Project Explorer • 46
To delete items from the Project Explorer • 46 To open a project file • 19
To deselect items from the Library • 82 To open a report template • 221
To download SSC • 13 To open the Project Explorer view • 22
To duplicate a Material • 85 To open the Report Configuration Tool from
To edit an HTML report in Microsoft® Excel • 232 outside SSC • 219
To edit an HTML report in Microsoft® Word • To open the Report Configuration Tool from
232 within SSC • 220
To enable the Global Loadings Assessment • To preview and print a report • 222, 223, 227,
105 230
To enter Additional Data • 62, 63, 71 To recover project files • 67
To enter Anchoring and Mooring data • 74 To rename Project Explorer view items • 46 To
To enter Auxiliary Machinery data • 188 Request a Licence • 16
To enter Basic Data • 69 To resize views • 45
To enter Basic Machinery Data • 183 To review composite structures • 128
To enter Cables, Chains and Ropes data • 75 To save your project for the first time • 65
To enter Classification data • 70 To search the online help using key words • 54
To enter Classification Requirements • 59 To search the Rules using a Rule Reference • 51
To enter Craft data • 71 To search the Rules using Text Search • 49
To enter data for a new project in the Details To select a panel and view its properties • 151
branch • 69 To select items from the Library • 81, 101
To enter Hull Information • 60 To select Labels and Dimensions • 143 To
To enter Propulsion Trains data • 184 set Rule compliance tool tips • 200
To set the Drawing Options • 146
To Size to Fit in the Transverse Section View •
To enter Steering Gear data • 190 137
To enter Transverse Frame Spacing data • 72 To split a panel into strakes • 168
To enter Unprotected Screwshafts and Tube To start SSC • 16
Shafts data • 186 To start the SSC Start Wizard • 58
To export resources • 101 To track revisions • 201
To finalise and unfinalise items • 217 To To use construction lines • 156
find a Solution • 213 To use Graph formatting tools • 210
To format a Note • 40 To To use SSC Graphs in other applications • 211
hide toolbars • 45 To use the Extend tool • 148
To identify and correct Calculation Errors • 196 To use the Stiffener Section Modulus Calculator
To identify and correct Rule Failures • 38, 198 • 179
To import resources • 101 To use the Tree data filter • 193
To insert a longitudinal primary stiffener • 173 To use the Trim tool • 147
To insert a panel in the Project Explorer view • To view a Transverse Section • 24
154 To view items in the Structure View • 27
To magnify in the Transverse Section View • 136 To view Materials • 77
To make longitudinal structures non-effective for To view online help contents • 53
bending • 133, 181 To view Profiles • 79
To manually request a Licence • 17 To view Reference Lines • 144
To modify Framing Regions • 177 To view Relationships • 38
To modify Profile dimensions in the Graphic view To view the cross ply analysis • 131
• 80, 88 To view the Framing View • 26

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 User Guide SSC 2020

To view the History • 23

To view the Intermediate Calculations • 35
To view the Longitudinal View • 25
To view the Rules for a specific item • 51
To Zoom In and Out of the Transverse Section
View • 135
Tracking revisions • 201
Transverse Frame Spacing data • 72
Transverse Section View • 23
Transverse Section View methodology • 134
Tree data filter • 193, 195
Tree icons • 195, 247
Tree toolbar • 245

U
Understanding SSC • 9
Using Auto Recovery • 66
Using Multiple Function types for strakes within a
panel • 170
Using report templates • 221
Using Resources • 77
Using SSC • 9
Using the online SSC User Guide • 53
Using the Solution Finder • 213
Using the Special Service Craft Rules • 49
Using the SSC Start Wizard • 57
Using the Trim and Extend Tools • 147
V
Vertical Wave Loading Conditions • 109
Viewing a Properties table • 28
Viewing Labels and Dimensions • 142
Viewing Materials and Profiles • 77
Visible Captions • 45
W
Working with Graphs • 207
Working with SSC projects • 57 Working with the
Transverse Section View • 133

256
Rules and Procedures Software
Marine & Offshore

Lloyd's Register EMEA

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W: www.lr.org

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