Professional Documents
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NK Shaft Alignment
NK Shaft Alignment
June 2006
Copyright © 2006
All rights reserved
Part A
June 2006
Contents
1 Introduction············································································································· 1
1.1 Background ·················································································································· 1
1.2 Objectives····················································································································· 1
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
12 Conclusions ·········································································································· 60
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
1. Introduction
1.1 Background
The stiffness of recently designed marine propulsion shafting has been increasing remarkably, whereas hull
structures have become more likely to deform as a result of cutting-age optimized design of the scantlings and
the use of high tensile steel. Figure 1.1 shows that the output per rpm of propulsion shafting on tankers
registered with ClassNK has increased markedly since the latter half of the 1980s. This result is considered to
be attributable to increased main engine power combined with slower rotational speed.
The reduction in stiffness of hull and engine structures means that the offsets of the support bearings of
shafting are more likely to vary under different operating conditions. On the other hand, the increased stiffness
of shafting makes shafts less adaptable to any small departure of the bearing lines from the initial lines. This
combination is thought to be the main cause of recently reported cases of alignment related main bearing
damage.
600
Main engine output per revolution (kW/rpm)
500
400
300
200
100
0
1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010
Year of build
Fig. 1.1 Evolution of main engine output per revolution for tankers.
1.2 Objectives
Studies on the deflection of the engine room double bottom and its effect on shafting alignment have been
conducted in Japan since the earlier 1970s. Due attention has been given to this problem at the design stage,
and the reaction of the bearings to such deflections were usually checked under the fully loaded condition as part
of normal alignment practice at shipyards in Japan. Consequently, few main engine bearing failures related to
shafting alignment have been experienced. However, the real causes of the reported bearing damages are not so
clear that they can be prevented from recurring. Moreover, discrepancies in shafting design and installation
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
practice vary appreciably between shipyards. These are potential risks to causing shafting alignment related
problems.
From this perspective, ClassNK has carried out intensive research in this area during the past five years, with
the aim of providing the industry with consistent and comprehensive guidelines on shafting design and
installation.
These guidelines reflect our wealth of experience and the latest research achievement in this field and have
been developed to assist marine engineers ensure the integrity of shafting alignment from design to installation.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
Bearing offset
SAG
Temporary support
SAG
GAP
GAP
Specifically, the propeller shaft is laid down first, then its flange is taken as reference to adjust the height of
each support, including possible temporary supports, for the intermediate shaft to ensure that the calculated
"GAP" and "SAG" between the mating flanges are realized. After the intermediate shaft has been laid down, its
forward flange becomes a new reference for adjusting the position of the main engine by raising, lowering or
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
tilting the engine to ensure that the calculated "GAP" and "SAG" between the mating flanges are realized. The
gaps and sags are measured using filler gauges. The designed gaps and sags should be, therefore, as large as
possible in order to achieve a high accuracy of measurement.
2.4.2 Difference of Conditions between Shafting Installation and Typical Service Condition
Shafting installation is usually performed in the so called launched condition with light draft and the main engine
in a cold condition. However, when the vessel is in typical service condition, the draft, especially for tankers or
bulk carriers, will change considerably, and the temperature in the main engine structure and nearby hull
structure will rise. These changes will cause additional deflections of the hull as well as the main engine
structure leading to the variations in bearing offsets. The bearing reactions will also change, accordingly.
It is natural to make the shafting alignment fitting for the typical service condition. Therefore, the initial
bearing offsets should be compensated by taking account of the estimated variation as shown in Fig. 2.3 in case
that unsatisfactory result is predicted if without such compensation. It can also be expressed by Eq. (2.1).
Initially bearing offset = Launched condition - (Fully loaded condition - Launched condition) (2.1)
Table 2.1 shows an example of calculated bearing offsets using Eq. (2.1). As can be seen from the table, the
initial bearing offsets should be compensated by an amount described by the term of "Fully loaded condition -
Launched condition" in the right side of Eq. (2.1) represents the variation in bearing offsets between the shafting
installation and the typical service condition in order to ensure that the shafting is satisfactory in its typical
service condition.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
-3.0
-2.0
-1.0
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000
0.0
Offset (mm)
1.0
2.0
3.0
Launched condition
4.0 Fully loaded condition
Initial bearing offset
Shaft deflection line (Launched condition)
5.0 Shaft deflection line (Fully loaded condition)
Shaft deflection line (Initial bearing offset)
6.0
Fig. 2.3 Bearing offsets and shaft deflection lines under different conditions.
Table 2.1 Initial Bearing Offsets to Compensate for Bearing Height Variations in Service Condition
However, if the shafting alignment is predicted to be unsatisfactory under other conceivable operating
conditions such as light ballast, then the compensation may need to be reduced to an extent by which all
operating conditions can be accommodated.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
Fig. 3.1 The numbers of main bearings taken into account in current
alignment calculations by builders.
However, the results of analysis suggests that the number of M/E bearings in the calculation model has
appreciable effects on the calculated reactions of the aftmost three M/E bearings, while no noticeable effects can
be seen on the sterntube and intermediate bearing reactions, as shown in Fig. 3.2, when the number of bearings is
changed from three to nine for a seven cylinder engine. In particular, the reactions of the second and third
aftmost M/E bearings will change remarkably when the number of M/E bearing changes from three to four.
Supposing the reactions are true when nine (full number) M/E bearings are taken into account, the reaction of the
second aftmost M/E bearing is overestimated, while the reaction of the third aftmost M/E bearing is
underestimated when only three M/E bearings are incorporated into the calculation model. When the number
of M/E bearings is increased to four, the result is reversed, namely, the reaction of the second aftmost M/E
bearing is underestimated, while the reaction of the third aftmost M/E bearing is overestimated. The result is
close to the true value when the number of M/E bearings is increased to five or more.
Although the above result was based on a seven-cylinder engine, the result is virtually independent of the
number of cylinders, although it was used as an example here. That is to say that when the reaction of a M/E
bearing needs to be accurately evaluated, two more M/E bearings beyond the bearing have to be incorporated in
the calculation model. For example, if the reactions of five aftmost M/E bearings of a nine-cylinder engine
have to be calculated precisely, then seven M/E bearings in total need to be included in the calculation model.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
For a four-cylinder engine, if the reactions of the five aftmost M/E bearings have to be calculated precisely, then
all six M/E bearings need to be taken into consideration. Since the aftmost three M/E bearings are most likely
to be affected by the alignment, at least five M/E bearings must be used in the alignment calculation.
Three
Four
Five
Six
Reaction force (kgf)
Seven
Eight
Nine
Bearing number
Fig. 3.2 Effect of numbers of main bearings taken into account in alignment
calculations on bearing reactions.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
- Equivalent
Journal
-
Reaction force (kgf)
Bearing number
Fig. 3.3 Effect of crank equivalent diameter on bearing reactions.
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
(a) (b)
The results show that a circular bar with a diameter of 60% of the journal diameter behaves in the same as the
crankshaft, as shown in Fig. 3.5.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
-
Crank
- Circular bar of diameter equal to journal
Reaction force (kgf)
Bearing number
Fig. 3.5 Comparison of bearing reaction between crank and circular bars of different diameters.
t
r
dj
l
L B
Fig. 3.6 Necessary dimensions of a crank throw for determining equivalent diameter.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
1
⎡1 ⎛ 1 1 ⎞⎤ 4
d eq =⎢ ⎜ + ⎟⎥ d j (3.1)
⎜1+ A + + ⎟
⎣⎢ ⎝
2 w 1 B w B p ⎠⎦⎥
2
⎛l⎞
1+ ⎜ ⎟
Aw =
3I j q1r ⎝ L⎠
2
2I w L ⎛dj ⎞
1 + 0.65⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ L ⎠
2
⎛l⎞
1+ ⎜ ⎟
3(1 + ν )I j q2 r ⎝L⎠
Bw = 2
I wp L ⎛dj ⎞
1 + 0.65⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ L ⎠
3(1 + ν )I j lr 2 1
Bp =
I jp L3 ⎛dj ⎞
2
1 + 0.65⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝ L ⎠
πd 4j
Ij =
64
πd 4j
I jp =
32
Bt 3
Iw =
12
I wp = βBt 3
3 2
⎛B⎞ ⎛B⎞ ⎛B⎞
β = 0.0004057⎜ ⎟ − 0.0082857⎜ ⎟ + 0.0605809⎜ ⎟ + 0.1449623
⎝t⎠ ⎝t⎠ ⎝t⎠
d j4
0 .1
q1 = 1 − Bt 3
⎛ r ⎞⎛ d 4⎞
⎜ ⎟ ⎜ 1 + 0 .1 j ⎟
⎜d ⎟⎜ Bt 3 ⎟⎠
⎝ j ⎠⎝
d j4
0.45
q2 = 1 − Bt 3
⎛ r ⎞⎛ d 4⎞
⎜ ⎟⎜1 + 0.45 j ⎟
⎜d ⎟⎜ Bt 3 ⎟⎠
⎝ j ⎠⎝
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
3.3 Loads
The selfweight of an equivalent circular bar should be compensated to the same extent as the crankshaft by
increasing its specific gravity or by adding the selfweight differential to loads representing the piston weight.
Loads representing the propeller weight should be determined taking into account the buoyancy
corresponding to the draft predicted in the condition in which the shafting alignment calculation is performed.
Loads representing the selfweight of the propeller shaft should also be modified by reducing the specific
gravity to reflect the effect of the buoyancy of lubricating oil or sea water, depending on the type of lubricating
system used for the sterntube bearings.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
Table 4.2 Reaction on Each Bearing Resulting from Lowering the No. 1 bearing by 1.0 mm
Bearing
Location (mm) Offset (mm) Reaction (kgf)
No.
No. 1 2.8300E+03 1.000 139295.220
No. 2 4.6300E+03 0.000 -214398.670
No. 3 8.4650E+03 0.000 81956.652
No. 4 1.5295E+04 0.000 -9075.998
No. 5 2.2375E+04 0.000 8643.455
No. 6 2.3375E+04 0.000 -6589.810
No. 7 2.4875E+04 0.000 213.664
No. 8 2.6375E+04 0.000 -53.416
No. 9 2.7875E+04 0.000 8.903
By repeating the above calculation for each bearing in turn, a matrix as shown in Table 4.3 can be obtained.
This result is precisely a shafting stiffness matrix that clearly takes the form of a square and symmetric matrix.
That is to say that the bearing reactions (without the effect of external loads and selfweight) can be calculated
from the known set of offsets through the shafting stiffness matrix expressed in Eq. (4.1).
(4.1)
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
For simplicity, Eq.(4.1) may be rewritten in matrix and vector notation as shown in Eq.(4.2):
R = Aδ (4.2)
where
R={R1 R2…R9}T
139295.220 -214398.670 81956.652 -9075.998 8643.455 -6589.810 213.664 -53.416 8.903
-214398.670 342737.790 -147868.080 25863.061 -24630.482 18778.394 -608.860 152.215 -25.369
81956.652 -147868.080 86843.213 -29740.647 34253.719 -26115.195 846.745 -211.686 35.281
-9075.998 25863.061 -29740.647 25755.066 -64621.265 53184.964 -1724.440 431.110 -71.852
A= 8643.455 -24630.482 34253.719 -64621.265 487261.830 -602809.510 204508.110 -51127.028 8521.171
-6589.810 18778.394 -26115.195 53184.964 -602809.510 895929.320 -459651.520 152728.030 -25454.671
213.664 -608.860 846.745 -1724.440 204508.110 -459651.520 451271.610 -264078.490 69223.181
-53.416 152.215 -211.686 431.110 -51127.028 152728.030 -264078.490 255095.360 -92936.091
8.903 -25.369 35.281 -71.852 8521.171 -25454.671 69223.181 -92936.091 40699.447
δ={δ1 δ2…δ9}T
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
-150000
Bearing reaction. Negative values indicate upward
-100000 reactions while positive values indicate downward
Reaction force (kgf)
reactions
-50000
50000
100000
No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 No. 7 No. 8 No. 9
Bearing Number
Fig. 4.3 Bearing reaction forces for sample shaft arrangement under straight offset
of bearings condition.
As can be seen in Fig. 4.3, the aft end bearing of the aftmost stern tube is overloaded, while the fore end
bearing of the aftmost stern tube is loaded in the wrong direction. Therefore, the alignment must be modified.
Assuming the target bearing reactions are known as shown in Table 4.4, an appropriate set of bearing offsets
should be determined so that the difference in the reaction forces between the target reactions and the reactions
under a straight condition, ΔR, can be generated.
Table 4.4 Target Bearing Reaction Forces for Sample Shaft Arrangement
Reactions of Target
ΔR = Target - Straight
Bearing No. straight offset reactions
(kgf)
(kgf) (kgf)
No. 1 -143537 -88333 55204
No. 2 62921 -17079 -80000
No. 3 -35917 -11917 24000
No. 4 -21989 -23989 -2000
No. 5 -48172 -28172 20000
No. 6 -8661 -26661 -18000
No. 7 -42226 -41726 500
No. 8 -51097 -51277 -180
No. 9 -15295 -15265 30
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
δ = A -1ΔR (4.3)
This can be expressed in following detailed form:
-1
139295.200 -214398.600 81956.600 -9075.900 8643.400 -6589.800 213.600 -53.400 8.900 55204
-214398.600 342737.700 -147868.000 25863.000 -24630.400 18778.300 -608.800 152.210 -25.360 -80000
81956.600 -147868.000 86843.200 -29740.600 34253.700 -26115.100 846.700 -212.600 35.280 24000
-9075.900 25863.000 -29740.600 25755.000 -64621.200 53184.900 -1724.400 431.110 -71.850 -2000
8643.000 -24630.400 34253.700 -64621.200 487261.800 -602809.500 204508.100 -51127.000 8521.100 20000
-6589.800 18778.300 -26115.100 53185.900 -602809.500 895929.300 -459651.500 152728.000 -25454.600 -18000
213.660 -608.800 846.740 -1724.400 204508.100 -459651.500 451271.600 -264078.400 69223.100 500
-53.410 152.200 -211.680 431.110 -51127.000 152728.000 -264078.400 255095.300 -92936.000 -180
8.900 -25.360 35.281 -72.850 8521.100 -25454.600 65223.100 -92936.000 40699.400 30
However, because of the characteristic of the shafting stiffness matrix, the above equation will have infinitely
many solutions. Hence, a submatrix of this matrix by omitting both the first and last rows and first and last
columns is needed in order to solve this problem. This operation means that the constraints of the rigid
motions do not affect the bearings, including translation and rotation of the shafting line. The operation is
specifically to set both ends of the shafting line at an offset of zero. Accordingly, the solution for the No. 2 to
No. 8 offsets can be obtained as follows:
-1
δ2 342737.700 -147868.000 25863.000 -24630.400 18778.300 -608.800 152.210 -80000
δ3 -147868.000 86843.200 -29740.600 34253.700 -26115.100 846.700 -212.600 24000
δ4 25863.000 -29740.600 25755.000 -64621.200 53184.900 -1724.400 431.110 -2000
δ5 = -24630.400 34253.700 -64621.200 487261.800 -602809.500 204508.100 -51127.000 20000
δ6 18778.300 -26115.100 53185.900 -602809.500 895929.300 -459651.500 152728.000 -18000
δ7 -608.800 846.740 -1724.400 204508.100 -459651.500 451271.600 -264078.400 500
δ8 152.200 -211.680 431.110 -51127.000 152728.000 -264078.400 255095.300 -180
-0.5225819432
-0.7255192463
-0.2621283778
= 0.1235714606
0.0892630911
0.0471291196
0.0955979752
0
-0.52258194320
-0.72551924630
-0.26212837780
0.12357146060
0.08926309105
0.04712911959
0.01955979752
0
In practice, main engines are usually installed in a horizontal position. This can be realized by rotating the
whole shafting line by an angle equal to the slope of the engine section. The bearing offsets after rotation are
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
shown in Table 4.5 together with the respective calculated values. Fig. 4.4 is a graphical expression of the
calculated target bearing offsets.
Initail Bearing Offsets Obtained by Direct Calculation, (-) Upward Offset and (+)
Downward Offset
-1.50
-1.00
-0.50
Offset (mm)
0.00
1.50
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000
Bearing location, distance from left end (mm)
All translation or rotation of the shafting line as a whole will not affect the reactions of bearings as described
above, though small calculation errors could exist. Table 4.6 shows a comparison of the bearing reactions,
while Fig. 4.5 is their graphical expression. It can be seen from these results that the target bearing reactions
have been obtained.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
Table 4.6 Comparison of Bearing Reactions between Offset Sets Shown in Table 4.5
-100000
-80000
Offsets as calculated
Offsets with engine in nearly horizontal position
Reaction force (kgf)
-60000
-40000
-20000
Fig. 4.5 Comparison of bearing reactions between offset sets shown in Table 4.5.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
The longitudinal placement of the intermediate bearing will have strong effect on the reaction of the aftmost
engine bearing when bearing offsets vary due to changes in ship draught. In fact, there was one case in which
damage to the aftmost engine bearing occurred shortly after the vessel was entered into service because the
intermediate bearing was installed too close to the aftmost engine bearing.
The location of the intermediate bearing has thus far been determined on the basis of experience, and there has
not been a rigorous, scientific approach to the placement of bearings.
It is generally effective to install the intermediate bearing as far as possible from the engine in order to reduce
its effect on the aftmost engine bearings when there is a change in the bearing offsets. On the other hand,
however, the influence number of the intermediate bearing itself will become greater because of the proximity of
the intermediate bearing to the sterntube bearing. A balanced judgment is needed, accordingly. The effect of
the location of the intermediate bearing on the influence number for each bearing was calculated in the example
shown in Fig. 5.1. The result of the calculation is shown in Fig. 5.2.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
200000
R47 R48
50000 R49
0
5000 7000 9000 11000 13000 15000 17000 19000 21000
-50000
-100000
-150000
-200000
Intermediate Bearing Location (mm)
Fig. 5.2 Influence number of intermediate bearing with respect to the other bearings.
Judging from the influence number of the intermediate bearing to itself, R44, as shown in Fig. 5.2., it may be
said that the level of sensitivity is the lowest for the current design position of the intermediate bearing, at 15,295
mm. However, if the influence on the first and second aftmost engine bearings is taken into consideration, the
intermediate bearing should be placed further aftward 2,795 mm to a position of 12,500 mm.
Thus, in order to consider the extent of influence on all bearings, a sensitivity index was proposed as
expressed in Eq. (5.1).
Sensitivity index = ∑ (R
i =1
mi )2 (5.1)
The result of applying Eq. (5.1) to the fore-mentioned example is shown in Fig. 5.3. The result suggests that
a unique optimal location for the intermediate bearing exists, in terms of minimum sensitivity. In this example,
the optimal point is 14,500 mm, moving aftward for 795 mm from the original design point.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
2.00E+10
1.50E+10
Sesitivity Index
1.00E+10
0.00E+00
10000 11000 12000 13000 14000 15000 16000 17000 18000
Position of intermediate bearing (mm), LIM
LIM
Fig. 5.3 Optimal location of intermediate bearing obtained from sensitivity analysis.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
(a)
(b)
Fig. 6.1 Illustration showing hull deflection from light to full draught: (a) light
draught; (b) full draught.
In order to be able to investigate the effect of hull deflection on shafting alignment, it is ideal to measure the
changes that take occur in each bearing offset beneath the shafting line from the foremost engine bearing to the
propeller. However, the locations that can be practically measured are limited to points on the dotted red lines
shown in Fig. 6.2 due to restrictions arising from the arrangement of the hull structure, engine, and shafting line.
In other words, measurements are only possible on the tank top beneath the shafting line from the aft end of the
engine to the fore sterntube bearing and alongside the engine. In this regard, some discrepancy may exist
between the measured results and actual changes in the bearing offsets. Consequently, careful attention should
be paid when applying the measured results in determining shafting alignment, which will be detailed
hereinafter.
two end points of the measurement line is being taken as a reference line, highly accurate measurement is
necessary because the relative displacement could be very small. However, a better understanding of the entire
profile of the displacement along the whole length of the measurement line can be gained by using this method
and conducting measurements at multiple points. On the other hand, although comparatively large
displacements can be measured using the reference point at one end produced by a laser beam emitted from the
other end of the measurement line, the measurement of middle points will be difficult.
Laser beam as
reference line after
deformation Reference lines
Displacements to be measured
Fig. 6.3 Illustration showing displacements to be measured and their respective reference lines.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
method is that the measurement has to be made and read off manually. Therefore, it is difficult for the
personnel conducting the measurement to repeat the measurements under varying conditions and to measure the
displacement at multiple points simultaneously. In addition, problems arise with the accuracy of the
measurements when the displacement is small.
Therefore, ClassNK Research Institute has developed a measuring apparatus using a steel strip with a very
small cross sectional area as the reference line instead of piano wire in combination with highly precise laser
type displacement sensors. This makes it possible to measure displacements at multiple points simultaneously
with high precision. The system has already been successfully employed in actual measurements onboard a
VLCC tanker for the first time in the world in August 2004.
In addition to the above mentioned features of high precision, multi-point and automatic measurement, there
is another merit to this approach in which possible dynamic components in displacement can be measured, as the
measurement system allows continuous measurement to take place. The concept and mechanism of the
measurement system is shown in Fig. 6.4. Figure 6.5. shows the apparatus that was installed onboard the above
mentioned VLCC tanker.
Tightened steel strip
Laser displacement sensor Deflection line after change in condition (e.g. full loaded condition)
Initial deflection line (e.g. ballast condition)
Since the tension force in the steel strip generated by weight can be regarded as being constant, the sagging of
the steel strip remains unchanged regardless of the draft or speed conditions of the vessel. Furthermore, since
the purpose of the measurement system is to measure the deflection between two different conditions, once the
first condition is set as the initial condition, only the change in deflection from the initial state needs to be
recorded, therefore, it is unnecessary to know the actual extent of sagging of the steel strip or to make corrections
for such sagging.
In order to eliminate the effect of possible lateral and axial vibration of the steel strip during measurement, a
low pass filter with a cut-off frequency of 0.6 Hz was employed for each channel, after confirming that the
resonant frequencies of the steel strip in these kinds of vibrations were higher than 5 Hz. The characteristic of
the low pass filter is shown in Fig. 6.6.
The configuration of the measurement system was very simple as shown in Fig. 6.7. The laser displacement
sensors were powered by a stable DC power source, and the extent of displacement was measured as an output
voltage signal directly into a digital recorder.
In addition to the output characteristics of individual laser displacement sensors that were provided by the sensor
manufacturer, the output calibration of the entire measurement system was also calibrated with a dial gauge as
shown in Fig. 6.8. The calibration was performed by adjusting the distance between the sensor and the target
steel strip with the help of the dial gauge, both incrementally and decrementally at intervals of 0.05 mm (0.025
mm in one place), and recording the output of the sensor. The results of the calibration are shown in Fig. 6.9.
As can be seen in Fig. 6.9(a), even a small change in displacement of 0.025 mm can be clearly detected from the
corresponding variation in output voltage. In addition, it can be recognized that the linearity between
displacement and the output voltage was significantly high.
Strip
Strip
Laser sensor
Laser sensor
(a) (b
)
Pulley Strip
Laser sensor
Weight
Laser beam
(c)
(d)
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
Frequency (Hz)
Laser beam
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
5.0
4.5
4.0
(a) (b)
Fig. 6.9 Sensor calibration results. (a) Output voltage as the result of
increasing and decreasing displacement; (b) Relationship between output
voltage and displacement.
Measured deflection
Measured at shafting portion
deflection of double
at shafting bottom tank top plate
portion
1
Full (19.5 m) - Light (9.0 m)
0.9 Full (19.5 m) - Ballast (14.0 m)
0.8 Full (19.5 m) - Ballast (16.0 m)
Deflection (mm)
Fig. 6.10 Measured deflection of the double bottom top plate beneath the shafting.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
0.2
0.1
-0.1
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000 10000 11000
Measuring location (mm)
Fig. 6.11 Measured deflection of the double bottom tank top plate on which the engine is seated.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
7.1 Objective
In order to determine the effect of hull deflection on shafting alignment, it is important to predict the deflection
of the engine room double bottom tank top due to changes in draught. Therefore, the onboard measurement of
hull deflection as described in Chapter 6 is necessary. However, if the FE analysis can be proven to be a viable
substitute for onboard measurement in predicting hull deflection, then such expensive and time-consuming
onboard measurements can be avoided. In addition, it will enable the shafting alignment designs to take into
account hull deflections due to changes in draught at the design stage. However, due consideration should also
be given to the modelling range, loads and boundary conditions, and other factors involved, because there are
few examples of FE analyses conducted of the aft-hull structure including the engine room using detailed models
for recently designed ships.
The ClassNK Research Institute has conducted FE analysis on a VLCC oil carrier using a detailed aft-hull
structure model including a detailed engine room model.
7.2 FE Model
Fig. 7.1 General arrangement and double bottom plan of the engine room.
7.2.2 FE Model
Model A and Model B were presented in Figure 7.3. The hull structure was modelled using shell elements, and
the strength members (e.g. longitudinal frame, longitudinal beam, transverse frame, deck beam, etc.) in the
aft-hull structure from Fr. 53 onwards were modelled using beam elements to reproduce their stiffness.
The element size of the aft-hull structure from Fr. 53 onwards was approximately equivalent to the
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
longitudinal frame spacing, while in the cargo hold part it was approximately equivalent to the transverse
spacing. The analysis code used was Visual NASTRAN for Windows 2002.
y Fr. 16
Fr. 16
z x
Fr. 53
Fr. 64
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
X
Z
:X direction constraint
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
16
20
25
29
FRAME S.P. 900 mm 34
39
43
48
Fig. 7.4 Measurement lines.
0
-5000 0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000
Distance from aftmost bulkhead in engine room (mm)
Fig. 7.5 Relative displacements on double bottom tank top in engine room.
As Fig.7.5 indicates, there is a difference in the relative displacement of up to about 1.5 mm between
Constraint ① and Constraint ② in Model A. This difference can be expected to have been caused by the
effect of deformation of Fr. 53 which applied one of the boundary conditions. The deformed shapes of Fr. 53
under each boundary constraint in Model A are presented in Fig. 7.6.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
X
Z
(a) Model A Constraint ① (b) Model A Constraint ②
As can be seen from Fig. 7.6, the restrained bulkhead (Fr. 53) under Constraint ① was transformed in the X
and Y directions. This showed that the deflection of the double bottom might be influenced by the deformation
of Model A caused by deformation of Fr. 53. Therefore, applying an absolute constraint like Constraint ② in
order to disregard the deformation of Fr. 53 should not be assumed to be an optimum boundary condition for
Model A.
Moreover, when thinking about the deformation of the entire ship, Fr. 53 would be constrained in the X and Y
directions by the foreside cargo hold structure. Therefore, it is unlikely that Constraint ①, which has freedom
in the X and Y directions, would be an optimum boundary condition. Although Constraint ① has been used
as an optimum boundary condition for the strength evaluation of the cargo hold structure, it would not
necessarily be an optimum boundary condition for the aft-hull structure model having an asymmetric structure in
the longitudinal direction.
On the other hand, the relative displacements of Constraints ① and ② of Model B corresponded well.
This means that the influence of the boundary conditions has been counteracted as a result of extending the
modelling range up to the cargo hold structure and taking the distance of the double bottom between the
restrained bulkhead and engine room. Reproducing the deformed shape of Fr. 53 in Model B to Model A's
boundary conditions would make it possible to provide a simplification of the analysis model. However, it will
be difficult to reproduce the deformed shape of the bulkhead completely as a boundary condition. Therefore,
when predicting the deflection of the engine room double bottom, it is necessary to construct not only the
aft-hull structure but also the aftmost cargo hold structure. Further, a reliable result can be obtained by a
simplified absolute constraint in the foremost bulkhead of model.
Load A
5
Relative displacement (mm)
Load B
4
0
-5000 0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000
Distance from aftmost bulkhead in engine room (mm)
Fig. 7.7 Relative displacements on double bottom tank top in engine room.
As Fig. 7.7 indicates, the analysis result for Load B, which was the simplified load condition, was almost
equal to the analysis result for Load A. Therefore, the load conditions shown in Table 7.2 can be omitted, and a
reliable analysis result can be obtained by using only the relative differences in the respective load conditions
such as the draught and tank condition.
M/E
Resin
Fig. 7.9 Integration of M/E structure with hull in FE model using solid
element for resin layer on seating surface.
5 Model B
Relative displacement (mm)
Model B+M/E
4
0
-5000 0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000
Distance from aftmost bulkhead in engine room (mm)
Fig. 7.10 Relative displacements on double bottom tank top in engine room.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
0.5
0
10000 15000 20000 25000 30000
Distance from aftmost bulkhead in engine room (mm)
Fig. 7.11 A detailed view of relative displacements on double bottom tank top within the engine
portion of the shafting line.
As can be seen from Fig. 7.10, there is a slight difference between the relative displacements in Model B and
Model B+M/E. This difference is attributable to the engine seating portion of the shafting line and it was
hardly seen in other portions. In addition, as Fig. 7.11 also shows, the magnitude of the deflection in Model
B+M/E clearly decreased at the engine seating portion of the shafting line. Namely, the difference in the
relative displacements is caused by increases in the double bottom stiffness due to the integration of the main
engine. Although the change of the relative displacement is only about 0.2 mm, it should never be disregarded
because engine alignments of recent large diesel engines are very sensitive to even small changes in bearing
offsets. Therefore, a reliable analysis can only be obtained by integrating a structural model of the main engine
and the ship.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
FRAME 40~50℃
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
⎛ ΔT + ΔT2 ⎞
Δh = αh⎜ 1 ⎟ (8.1)
⎝ 2 ⎠
where α is the thermal expansion coefficient of the material of the bedplate, h is the height from the engine
seating plane to the bearing center, and ΔT1 and ΔT2 represent the increases in temperature at the engine seating
plane and bearing center, respectively.
In cases where measured results on sister engines are available or the manufacturer has recommend values for
the parallel rise in height, the values obtained can be applied.
Uniform displacement
at main bearing center
Δh
h+Δh
h
Cold Warm
Fig. 8.2 Vertical uniform displacement at the main bearing center arising
from thermal expansion of the bedplate.
Cold Warm
Fig. 8.4 shows the calculated results of an example using a FE model of an engine structure, giving a
temperature increase of 15oC from bottom to top and allowing the structure to deform freely. In this example, a
maximum hogging deformation of about 0.1 mm was calculated. For specific engines, however, it is necessary
to use more accurate temperature distribution data and constraints from the hull structure.
Fig. 8.4 FE model of an engine structure showing hogging displacement at the main
bearing center arising from thermal expansion.
Thus, in this sense, it is better to consider the effect of the constraints of the hull even in cases where data on
separate engine hogging is available from the manufacturer.
The most accurate method to determine the hogging deflection of an engine bedplate caused by thermal
expansion is onboard measurement. This consists of measuring the relative deflections that occurs from cold to
warm (hot) condition under given draught (loading) conditions.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
13 s
Displacement
Time
(a) Time history
0.058 Hz
Power spectrum
0.45 Hz 0.91 Hz
Frequency (Hz)
(b) Power spectrum
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
12 s
Displacement
Time
(a) Time history
0.068 Hz
Power spectrum
0.46 Hz
0.96 Hz
Frequency (Hz)
(b) Power spectrum
Fig. 9.2 Time history of displacement at the longitudinal middle of the engine
and its power spectrum when the ship was at a full speed of about 18 knots.
0.4 0.4
5Ch Hog1
0.3 6Ch 0.3 Sag1
8Ch Hog2
Displacement (mm)
0.2
Displacement (mm)
Fig. 9.3 Dynamic relative displacement over the length of the engine.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
0.4 0.4
Hog1
0.3 2Ch 3Ch 4Ch 0.3 Sag1
Displacement (mm)
Hog2
Displacement (mm)
Fig. 9.4 Dynamic relative displacement over the span between the aft end of
the engine and the fore stern tube bearing.
Thrust
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
7.0
6.0
With thrust
Displacement (mm)
With - Without
0.4
0.3
Displacement (mm)
0.2
0.1
0
35000 30000 25000 20000 15000 10000 5000 0
Distance from foremost main bearing (mm)
Fig. 9.7 Relative displacement of the case with thrust to the case without thrust.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
(a)
Displacements necessary to calculate Actually measurable displacements
bearing reactions
(b)
(c)
Fig. 10.1 Total displacement can be recreated by connecting separately measured displacements at
shafting and engine portion of the shafting line, having the different displacement curves have the same
slopes at each connecting points. (a) Original bearing support line. (b) Bearing support line after
deformation. (c) Entire bearing support line recreated from separate sets of measured displacements.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
It can be is easily understood that all bearing supporting points will lie on a smooth curve, assuming that all
bearing supporting points were initially on a straight line in an elastic body, as shown in Fig. 10.2. A straight
line a-b in an elastic body will become a curve a'-b' after the elastic body is deformed under an external force or
enforced restraints, as shown in Fig. 10.2(b). Since the derivative of displacement in the Y direction with
respect to x denotes shear strain, the derivative must have a unique value at any point. Therefore, the
displacement curve in the Y direction must be continuous and smooth.
a b
x
z
(a)
a'
b'
(b)
v a'-b'
x
(c)
Fig. 10.2 (a) A straight line a-b in an elastic body. (b) The line a-b becomes a curve
a'-b' after the body is deformed. (c) The curve a'-b' must be smooth and continuous,
since the differential dv/dx represents shear strain.
Fig. 10.3 FE model integrated main engine structure with hull used to calculate the
displacement at each bearing support point.
10.2 Discontinuity in Slope of Total Deflection Curve over Entire Length of Shafting Line
Figure 10.4 is a close-up view of the deflection of the aft engine part of the structure obtained from the model
shown in Fig. 10.3. As can be seen from the result, while the deflection curve of the top of the double bottom
beneath the shafting line is quite smooth, there is clearly a discontinuity at the aft engine end where the
deflection curve consists of the point on the top of the double bottom in the shaft portion and the supporting
points of the engine bearing in the engine portion of the double bottom.
5.00
Center Line
Displacement (mm)
4.00
3.00
18000 16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000
Fig. 10.4 FEM results showing discontinuity between slopes of deflection curves of
double bottom and main bearing centers.
A discontinuity in the slope of the total deflection curve over the entire shafting line could cause adverse
effects on bearing reactions. Fig. 10.5 shows two sets of bearing heights that differ from each other only in the
presence of a slope continuity at the longitudinal boundary between the hull and engine structures. While the
deflection in the engine portion of the curve in red smoothly joins the deflection in the shaft portion of the curve,
the slope of the curve representing the engine portion of the deflection in blue is discontinuous at the
longitudinal boundary between the hull and engine structures. The bearing reaction forces are calculated for the
two sets of bearing offsets, and are shown in Fig. 10.6. The shafting model used in this calculation is the same
as that used in previous chapters.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
-8.0
-6.0
-4.0
-2.0
Offset (mm)
0.0
2.0
8.0
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000
Bearing location, distance from left end (mm)
Fig. 10.5 Two sets of bearing heights that differ from each other only in slope
continuity at the longitudinal boundary between the hull and engine structures.
-50000
50000
No.1 No.2 No.3 No.4 No.5 No.6 No.7 No.8 No.9
Bearing number
As can be seen from the results shown in Fig. 10.6, the bearing reactions will change significantly if the
discontinuity in the slope of the deflection curve exists despite the magnitude of the total hog that remains
unchanged. In this example, the first aftmost engine bearing becomes overloaded and the second aftmost
engine bearing becomes loaded in the wrong direction.
Therefore, it is desirable to ascertain whether there is any discontinuity in the slope of the deflection curve,
using an integarated engine-hull FE model.
Then let's consider why such a discontinuity in the slope of deflection cuve is generated. As mentioned
before in section 10.1.1, a smooth curve in an elastic body will remain smooth after the body is deformed. This
can be explained by the fact that the deflection curve at the center line on the double bottom top plate is
relatively smooth, as shown in Fig. 10.6. It can be easily understood that when assuming there is a straight line
directly beneath the double bottom top, then the sraight line will become a smooth curve after hull deformation.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
Furthermore, the deflection line of the center line on the top plate of the double bottom will also become a
smooth line, neglecting small local deformations between the double bottom top plate and the assumed straight
line.
On the other hand, the deflection at the supporting points of the engine bearings in the engine portion of the
line can not be regarded as coming from the same straight line as the center line on the top plate of the double
bottom, as shown in Fig. 10.7. While the change in offsets of the intermediate bearing and stern tube bearings
comes from the center line on the top plate of the double bottom, the change in offsets of the engine bearings
comes from the engine seating lines on the top plate of the double bottom. It is noted from the FE analysis
results that the displacemet of the top plate of the double bottom varies in the transverse direction, although the
magnitude of the fluctuation depends on the location of the cross section. Therefore, the discontinuity in the
slope of the deflection curve is considered to arise from these variations in displacement in the transverse
direction.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
Dial gauge
Hydraulic jack
500 mm
Jack
Fig. 11.2 A shafting model used to demonstrate the theoretical jack-up process.
- An additional supporting point is generated by setting the jack directly under the shaft at a point 500 mm
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
away from the intermediate bearing of which the reaction to be measured. The reaction of this newly added
supporting point is, however, zero at this point.
- The jack is gradually lifted, in increments of 0.002 mm in this case, until the bearing load becomes zero.
The total lift is 0.01587 mm in this case.
- Because the bearing has been completely unloaded, it is no longer a supporting point. Therefore, the
calculation described below is performed using the beam model without the supporting point as shown in Fig.
11.3. Since the number of supporting points is reduced by one, the relationship between the jack lift and the
jack load (the slope) is also changed. The result of the simulation is shown in Fig. 11.4.
500 mm
Jack
Fig. 11.3 A state where the load of the bearing in question is just becoming zero.
0.12
0.11 Intermediate bearing loaded
Intermediate bearing unloaded
0.10
Shaft lift at jack point (mm)
Point P0 in the above figure represents a state in which the reaction of the intermediate bearing has just
become zero. The jack load at this point is represented by R'J. By fitting the relationship between the jack lift
and the jack load after this point to a linear curve and then extrapolating the line to where the jack lift is zero, the
jack load when the jack lift is zero, Rj, can be obtained. This load from which the bearing load is usually
calculated is, in other words, the jack load when the jack is being set and the bearing in question is removed.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
In this example,
RB = C × R J (11.1)
where,
IBB: The reaction influence number of the bearing when the jack is regarded as a supporting point.
IBJ: The reaction influence number of the bearing to the jack supporting point.
In order to better understand the jack up method,Eq. (11.1) is derived below. Figure 11.5 shows three
important states during the jack up process using the calculated shafting lines.
δ 0.016 mm
h
Fig. 11.5 Deflection curves of the shaft line at three important states during the jack-up process.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
State 1: The initial state, at this point the reaction of the bearing is RB. B The jack is set underneath the shaft
but the jack load remains zero. This state is represented by the solid black line in Fig. 11.5.
State 2: After gradually lifting the jack up by a lift of δ, the bearing load becomes zero while the bearing
remains in contact with the shaft. This state is represented by the solid red line in Fig. 11.5. At this
point the jack load is R'J.
State 3: Supposing that the bearing has been removed at State 2, the jack is lowered by an amount δ back to the
original setting position. This state is represented by the dotted red line in Fig. 11.5. During this
process the bearing supporting point is supposed to have lowered by an amount h. At this point the
jack load is RJ.
State 4: Supposing that the bearing has been set again at the supporting point, the bearing is lifted by an
amount h, until the jack load becomes zero. During this process the jack, of course, remains in
contact with the shaft. The bearing load at this point is exactly the load RB that is to be measured.
B
Bearing: 0 + IBBh = RB B
Jack: RJ+IBJh = 0
Therefore,
I BB
RB = − RJ
I BJ
Since the reaction influence numbers for the shafting model shown in Fig. 11.5 are:
In addition, RJ is 24450 kgf as mentioned in 11.1.1, thus the bearing load RB is obtained as follows:
B
This result completely agrees with that directly calculated using the beam model described earlier.
The bearing load can also be expressed in Eq. (11.2), if we consider the process of transition from state 1 to
state 2 in the same way as above.
I JB
RB = − R' J (11.2)
I JJ
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
where,
IJJ: The reaction influence number of the jack when the jack is regarded as a supporting point.
IJB: The reaction influence number of the jack to the baring.
Equation (11.2) theoretically leads to the same result as that obtained from Eq. (11.1). In practice, however,
R'J is difficult to determine accurately from the measured relationship between the jack lift and jack load,
because the real jack load-lift curve will form a loop referred to as an hysteresis curve due to the unavoidable
friction in the hydraulic jack. Equation (11.2) is thus less used in practice.
RI + RD
RJ = (11.3)
2
Average line
Vertical lift of shaft at jack point
Decreasing
Increasing
RD RJ RI
Jack load
Fig. 11.6 Hysteresis curve of actual jack-up result due to unavoidable friction in hydraulic jack.
It is important to confirm the sudden change, known as 'break point', that appears in the slope of the jack
load-lift curve. The break point comes about because the number of the supporting points in the shafting
decreases by one when the bearing load becomes zero. If such a break point does not appear and the jack
load-lift curve looks like that shown in Fig. 11.7, there is a high possibility that the bearing load is nearly zero at
the original position.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
Increasing
Jack load
Fig. 11.7 Jack-up result showing no break point is a sign that the bearing being unloaded.
As noted above, the break point comes about because the number of the supporting points in the shafting
decreases by one when the bearing load becomes zero. The load of the bearing immediately next to the jack
first becomes zero and the first break point appears. When the jack continues to rise, then another bearing close
to the jack will also become unloaded and the slope of the jack load-lift curve will become steeper, as shown in
Fig. 11.8. If the jack continues to rise further, at some point, the upper clearance of the nearest bearing to the
jack will finally disappear, causing a downward bearing reaction, and slope of the jack lift-load curve will
suddenly decrease. Therefore, in order to avoid excessive jack up, it is important to finish the jack-up test as
soon as sufficient data for determining RJ has been gathered, after the first break point has appeared.
Second bearing
unloaded
Jack load
Fig. 11.8 Each slope in the jack-up result corresponds to a different shafting model.
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
M1 M2 M3
Therefore, the relationship between the change in bending moment and the change in bearing offsets can be
given in Eq. (11.4).
M1 -28154234 17284736 -12732321 δ4
M2 = 18606641 -187185 -6315427 δ5 (11.4)
M3 5815648 44923370 -43329799 δ6
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
The change in the bearing reaction for a given change in bearing offsets of bearings No. 4,No. 5, and No. 6 in
Fig. 11.9 is calculated and shown in Table 11.2, while the corresponding shafting deflection line is shown in Fig.
11.10. In practice, it is not possible to determine the change in the bearing reactions because the change in the
bearing offsets is usually unknown.
Table 11.2 Calculated Bearing Reaction Changes due to Changes in Bearing Height
-4.0
-3.0 Original bearing condition
Changed bearing condition
Bearing hight (mm)
Fig. 11.10 Shaft deflection curves before and after change in bearing height.
The change in the bearing reactions is therefore determined using the above mentioned method, assuming that
changes in the bending moment at three cross sections M1, M2, and M3 have been measured. The changes in
the bearing offsets can be obtained from Eq. (11.5) by substituting the relevant values into Eq. (11.4).
-1
δ4 -28154234 17284736 -12732321 M1
δ5 = 18606641 -187185 -6315427 M2
δ6 5815648 44923370 -43329799 M3
i 0.4999999933 y
k 1.400000089 {
= 1.000000078
(11.5)
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PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
The changes in the bearing reactions can be determined from Eq. (11.6) using the reaction influence number
matrix and the relative changes in the bearing offsets with reference to the stern tube center line, assuming that
the stern tube bearing offsets do not change.
i − 4800.2 y
13681
− 15911.8
=
20137.5
(11.6)
k 70165.7 {
− 83269.8
The reactions after the changes in the bearing offsets can therefore be obtained by adding the changes to the
initial bearing reactions, as shown in Eq. (11.7).
R1 Ri1 ΔR1
R2 Ri2 ΔR2
R3 = Ri3 + ΔR3
R4 Ri4 ΔR4
R5 Ri5 ΔR5
R6 Ri6 ΔR6
-8 8 3 4 1 i − 4800.2 y
-1 7 0 6 7 13681
-11 4 9 6 − 15911.8
= + 20137.5
-2 4 3 4 6
k 70165.7 {
-3 4 5 2 8 − 83269.8
1631
-93141
-3386
-27408 (11.7)
= -4208
-117797
71797
This result is completely in agreement with that directly calculated, as shown in Table 11.2.
This method has the major advantage of being able to determine the reactions of the aft stern tube bearing or
bearings inside the engine, on which the jack up test is difficult. However, as can be seen in Fig. 11.11, the
bending moment caused by the change in the bearing offsets only varies linearly between any two adjacent
bearings. Therefore, the bending moment at any third cross section, M3, can be calculated from the previously
known bending moment at any other two different cross sections M1 and M2. Therefore, only one, in case two
bending moments in the adjacent span have already been used, or at most two independent bending moments
between any two adjacent bearings can be used in the calculation. On the other hand, because the relatively
easy measurement of the bending moments is only possible before and after the intermediate bearing, it is
necessary to simplify the shafting calculation model by reducing the number of engine bearings taken into
account and by using the stern tube bearing as the reference line. Furthermore, because the measurement of the
57
PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
bending moment requires highly specialized knowledge and technique in addition to expensive equipment, the
method is only employed when the reactions of the aftmost engine bearings need to be determined with high
accuracy.
M3
M2
M1
G1 G3
13
G1 14 Vout 23
14
23
G2
24
G3 M G4 G2
24
G4
Vin
Fig. 11.12 Bending moment measurement using the strain gauge technique.
Because the shaft is turning, a wireless system called a telemetry system is usually needed to measure bending
moment, as shown in Fig. 11.13. In the telemetry system, the firmly glued strain gauges are connected to
transmitters with their own power source. Therefore, the gauges and the transmitters rotate together with the
shaft. Signals from the transmitters are sent to a data recorder via a receiver after being received by a receiving
58
PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
Receiving antenna
Strain gauge
Shaft
Transmitter
Photo 11.1 shows the glued strain gauges and installed components of the telemetry system.
Transmitter
(a) (b)
Photo 11.1 (a) Strain gauges glued onto shaft. (b) Mounted essential
components comprising telemetry system.
59
PART A GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT VARIATION IN BEARING OFFSETS WHILE IN SERVICE
12. Conclusions
These guidelines provide methods and procedures for the design, installation and confirmation of shafting
alignment in dealing with the effects of the changes that occur in bearing offsets between different load and
operating conditions, after detailing the phenomena and showing the extent of the changes through
measurements and calculations performed on an actual VLCC. The ultimate goal of the guidelines is to help
prevent improper shafting alignment related damages of bearings and shafts. Although this goal can be
achieved during the initial installation - bearing load measurement - readjustment cycle, the cost will be huge in
the event of a major alteration of the shafting alignment at the sea trial stage. Therefore, appropriate procedures
are necessary that take into account actual operating conditions for the shafting alignment. These may be
summarized as follows:
• Using an equivalent circular bar to model the crankshaft, incorporating all engine bearings in the shafting
alignment calculation to improve the accuracy of the calculations.
• Optimizing the longitudinal location of the intermediate bearing to reduce the sensitivity of the shafting to
changes in bearing offset.
• Predicting the changes in bearing offsets including the dynamic components between the installation and the
representative operating conditions and compensating for these changes in the initial bearing offsets, if
necessary.
• Directly confirming the reactions of the forward stern tube bearing, intermediate bearing, and aftmost engine
bearing in the engine warm and design draught condition.
• If there are any recommendations by the engine manufacturer, reducing the load of the aftmost engine bearing
to nearly zero in the installation condition as a rough measure of the necessary initial compensation, and
complying with the recommendation, accordingly.
60
GUIDELINES ON SHAFTING ALIGNMENT
Part B
June 2006
In the propulsion system of ships, large loads due to the weight of the propeller act on the aft edge of the
shaft, which is a major characteristic of the shafting system. Bending moment due to such loads results in
edge loading of the aftmost bearing. Consequently, Classification Societies have developed rules on
shafting alignment taking into consideration the strength of the aftmost bearing. ClassNK’s Rules have
also been developed with a focus on the aftmost bearing. Hence, shafting alignment calculations for
propulsion shafting are required for shafting where the length of the aftmost bearing is shorter than the
length normally set by the Rules or where the propeller shaft is intended to be classed as a Kind 1C type
shaft.
On the other hand, there has been a growing number of incidents of engine bearing damage reported in
recent large 2-stroke cycle main engines. The cause of such damage is generally thought to be attributable
to an increase in bearing loads, but may also be connected with a tendency for the span between engine
bearings to become shorter. In view of the contact that exists between the shaft and bearings, this
tendency makes the shafting more sensitive to changes in bearing offsets. Among the various cases of
bearing damage reported, there have been cases in which an engine bearing becomes unloaded due to the
effects of changes in temperature and hull girder deflection. Therefore, in the design of shafting alignment,
it is important to give the shaft as much flexibility as possible with due consideration given to the effects of
temperature changes and hull girder deflections as well as to reduce the edge loading of the aftmost
bearing.
ClassNK has recently amended its Rules and Guidance on Shafting Alignment. These revised
requirements will apply to ships that submit an application for a Classification Survey during Construction
to the Society on or after 1 July 2006. According to the amended Rules, shafting alignment calculations
will be required for all shafting having an oil-lubricated propeller shaft with a diameter of 400 mm or more.
Furthermore, the Annex D6.2.13 to the Guidance provides clear descriptions of models of shafting,
conditions to be calculated, the evaluation of calculation results and other related matters.
This document gives a description of the main changes made in this revised version of the Guidance with
respect to the calculation of shafting alignment and provides an explanation of the details of such
calculations and the reason for the revisions made. It is hoped that this information will prove useful for
designers at shipbuilders and engine manufacturers as well as surveyors and other parties with an interest
in effective shafting alignment.
June 2006
CONTENTS
1.1 General 1
1.1.1 Application 1
1.1.2 Calculation Sheet of Shaft Alignment 1
EXPLANATORY NOTES
1.1 General 7
1.1.1 Application 7
1.1.2 Calculation Sheet of Shaft Alignment 8
References 18
1.1 General
1.1.1 Application
-1 This Guidance applies to shaft alignment calculations required in Sections D6.2.10, D6.2.11 and
D6.2.13 of the Rules. With regard to the paragraphs in 1.3 of this Guidance, the application is to
be in accordance with Table 1.1.1-1.
-2 Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-paragraph 1.1.1-1 above, paragraphs 1.1.2, 1.2.1 and 1.3.1
(excluding 1.3.1-4) below are to apply to shaft alignment calculations required in D6.2.10 and
D6.2.11, where the main propulsion shafting comprises a oil-lubricated propeller shaft with a
diameter less than 400 mm.
-3 An alternative method of calculation different from that described in this Guidance may be
employed subject to prior acceptance by the Society.
Calculation sheets for shaft alignment that include the following data are to be submitted for
approval:
(a) Diameter (outer and inner) and length of shafts
(b) Length of bearings
(c) Concentrated loads and loading points
(d) Support points
(e) Bearing offsets from reference line
(f) Reaction influence numbers
(g) Bending moments and bending stresses
(h) Bearing loads and nominal bearing pressure
(i) Relative inclination of the propeller shaft and aftmost stern tube bearing or maximum
bearing pressure in the aftmost stern tube bearing
(j) Deflection curves for the shafting
(k) Sags and gaps between shaft coupling flanges
(l) Procedures for measuring bearing loads (in cases where such measurement is required)
1
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
1.2.1 Loads
-2 The buoyancy force working on the shafting is to be considered as a load. The tensile force due to
the cam shaft drive chain specified by the engine manufacturer is also to be considered as a load
for the engine.
1.2.2 Bearings
-1 When only one support point is assumed in the aftmost stern tube bearing, its location is to be at
L/4 or D/3 from the aft end of the bearing. When two support points are assumed, their locations
are to be at the each end of the aftmost stern tube bearing. When three or more support points
are assumed, their locations may be decided by the designer. The location of the support point in
each bearing other than the aftmost stern tube bearing is to be the center of the bearing.
D
Propeller shaft
X = L/4 or D/3
X: Location of single support point from
bearing aft end
L: Length of aftmost stern tube bearing
Aftmost stern X
tube bearing D: Diameter of propeller shaft
L
Figure 1.2.2-1 Location of single support point in aftmost stern tube bearing.
-2 Either rigid support or elastic support may be acceptable for the type of support used.
-3 When the thrust shaft is integrated with the crankshaft, not less than five main bearings of the
engine are to be considered in the shaft alignment calculation.
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5
Aftmost engine bearing
When evaluating the shafting of a two-stroke cycle diesel engine, the equivalent diameter of the
crankshaft specified by the engine manufacturer is to be used in the shaft alignment calculation,
in order to give due consideration to the lesser bending stiffness that exists in the actual
crankshaft compared with simply using the diameter of the crank journal in the model.
For shafting with a reduction gear such as that found in main steam turbine or geared diesel
engines, the shafting from the propeller to the wheel gear is to be considered in the shaft
alignment calculation.
2
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
-1 Shaft alignment calculations are to be performed assuming that the ship is in the light draught
condition and the main propulsion machinery is in the cold condition. In cases where the shafts
are coupled before launching, the shaft alignment calculation is to be performed for the coupled
condition instead of for the light draught condition without taking the buoyancy force on the
propeller into account.
-2 When the aftmost stern tube bearing consists of oil-lubricated white metal, an evaluation is to be
made of the nominal bearing pressure together with either the relative inclination between the
propeller shaft and aftmost stern tube bearing or the maximum bearing pressure in the aftmost
stern tube bearing, either of which is determined in order to prevent edge loading on the bearing.
Each calculated value is to be within the allowable limit shown in Table 1.3.1-2.
Table 1.3.1-2 Allowable Limits for Aftmost Stern Tube Bearing (Oil-lubricated White Metal)
Allowable limit Notes
Nominal bearing pressure 0.8 MPa
Relative inclination between 3 × 10-4 rad Applicable where number of support points is
the propeller shaft and the one or two.
aftmost stern tube bearing For two support points, relative inclination is
to be calculated at each end of the bearing
(see Figure 1.3.1-2(a)).
Maximum bearing pressure 40 MPa Applicable where the maximum bearing
pressure is calculated (see Figure 1.3.1-2(b)).
Relative inclination
Maximum bearing pressure
Propeller shaft
Pressure distribution
-3 The bending moment (absolute value) calculated at any bearing is not to be more than the value
determined for the aftmost stern tube bearing.
-4 In principle, the bearing load calculated at each bearing is to be a positive value. However, for the
aftmost bearing of a two-stroke cycle diesel engine, a bearing load of zero may be accepted
(negative value is not acceptable) subject to the agreement of the engine manufacturer. The
direction of the bearing load is shown in Figure 1.3.1-4.
Shaft Shaft
3
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
-1 Shaft alignment calculations are to be performed assuming that the ship is in the light draught
condition and the main propulsion machinery is in the hot condition. In this case, the increases
in offset specified by the manufacturer for the engine bearings and the bearings in the reduction
gear are to be considered for the hot condition.
-2 The full immersion condition of the propeller may also be taken into account in the calculation.
-3 When the shafts are coupled before launching, the calculation is to be performed under the
assumption that there is no change in the bearing offsets from the reference line between the
conditions before and after launching.
-4 The bearing load calculated at each bearing is to be a positive value.
-5 For shafting with a reduction gear, the difference in the bearing loads between the fore and aft
bearings of the wheel gear in the hot condition is to be within the allowable limit specified by the
manufacturer.
-6 The bending moment due to eccentric thrust of the propeller may be taken into account in the
calculation.
-1 The shaft alignment for oil tankers, ships carrying dangerous chemicals in bulk, bulk carriers, and
general dry cargo ships is to be designed so as to satisfy the following criteria in order that all
engine bearings are fairly evenly loaded, even under the hull deflection that occurs when the ship
is in the full draught condition. The extent of relative displacement due to the difference between
hull deflection that occurs in the light draught condition and hull deflection that occurs in the full
draught condition which results in the second or third aftmost engine bearing becoming unloaded,
as measured at the aftmost bulkhead of the engine room (calculated as δ B2 and δ B3, respectively),
is to be greater than the allowable lower limit δ BM shown in Fig. 1.3.3-1 (a).
10
8
δ BM (mm)
0
5 7 9 11 13 15 x 103
L (mm)
Distance from the support point of the aftmost engine bearing to
the aftmost bulkhead of the engine room (see Figure 1.3.3-1(b)).
The relative displacements, δ B2 and δ B3 , above are to be calculated using the equations shown in
sub-paragraphs (1) or (2) below, depending on the type of bearing support adopted (elastic or rigid
support) that is used to calculate the reaction influence numbers in the alignment calculations.
(1) In the case of elastic support, δ B2 and δ B3 can be obtained with i =2 and 3, respectively:
4
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
δ Bi = - R i / S i
where,
i: Engine bearing number as counted from the aft of the engine
R i: Reaction force at engine bearing No. i determined by the calculation in 1.3.2 (kN)
S i: Influence number for engine bearing No. i when the hull deflection at the aftmost bulkhead
of the engine room becomes -1 mm; obtained from the following equation (kN/mm):
a −1 b −1
S i = ∑ Cb + i − 1, n (1.5 xn − 0.5) + ∑ Cb + i − 1, n xn
1.5
n =1 n=a
xn = X n / L
n: Support point number of the shafting (counted from the aft of the shafting)
a: Number of the nearest support point forward of the aftmost bulkhead of the engine room
(counted from the aft of the shafting)
b: Support point number of the aftmost engine bearing (counted from the aft of the shafting)
X n : Distance from the support point b to the support point n (mm)
L: Distance from the support point b to the aftmost bulkhead of the engine room (mm)
C m, n: Influence number at the support point m when the relative displacement at the support
point n becomes -1 mm (kN/mm) (see Figure 1.3.3-1(b)).
m, n = 1 2 3 4 (=a) 5 (=b) 6 7 8 9
X4
Aftmost engine bearing
L
X1
(2) In the case of rigid support, δ B2 and δ B3 can be obtained by solving the following simultaneous
equations (1) and (2), respectively:
S 1 δ B2 + (C 1, 1 -K) δ 1 + C 1, 3 δ 3 + C 1, 4 δ 4 + C 1, 5 δ 5 = C 1, 2 R 2 /K
S 2 δ B2 + C 2, 1δ 1 + C 2, 3 δ 3 + C 2, 4 δ 4 + C 2, 5 δ 5 = (C 2, 2 -K) R 2 /K
S 3 δ B2 + C 3, 1 δ 1 + (C 3, 3 -K) δ 3 + C 3, 4 δ 4 + C 3, 5 δ 5 = C 3, 2 R 2 /K (1)
S 4 δ B2 + C 4, 1 δ 1 + C 4, 3 δ 3 + (C 4, 4 -K) δ 4 + C 4, 5 δ 5 = C 4, 2 R 2 /K
S 5 δ B2 + C 5, 1 δ 1 + C 5, 3 δ 3 + C 5, 4 δ 4 + (C 5, 5 -K) δ 5 = C 5, 2 R 2 /K
S 1 δ B3 + (C 1, 1 -K) δ 1 + C 1, 2 δ 2 + C 1, 4 δ 4 + C 1, 5 δ 5 = C 1, 3 R 3 /K
S 2 δ B3 + C 2, 1 δ 1 + (C 2, 2 - K) δ 2 + C 2, 4 δ 4 + C 2, 5 δ 5 = C 2, 3 R 3 /K
S 3 δ B3 + C 3, 1 δ 1 + C 3, 2 δ 2 + C 3, 4 δ 4 + C 3, 5 δ 5 = (C 3, 3 - K) R 3 /K (2)
S 4 δ B3 + C 4, 1 δ 1 + C 4, 2 δ 2 + (C 4, 4 -K) δ 4 + C 4, 5 δ 5 = C 4, 3 R 3 /K
S 5 δ B3 + C 5, 1 δ 1 + C 5, 2 δ 2 + C 5, 4 δ 4 + (C 5, 5 -K) δ 5 = C 5, 3 R 3 /K
5
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
where,
K : Stiffness of bearing support, given as K = 5,000 (kN/mm)
S i : Influence number for engine bearing i (See (1) above)
C i, j : Influence number for engine bearing i when the relative displacement at engine bearing j
becomes -1 mm (kN/mm). (The numbers i and j are counted from the aft of the engine.)
δ i ( i =1, 2, 3, 4, 5): Elastic relative displacement at each engine bearing resulting from the relative
displacement δ B2 and δ B3. (δ i is unknown.)
-2 Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-paragraph 1.3.3-1, the Society may examine and accept
alternative criteria, provided that a document is submitted that makes it possible to evaluate the
condition of the engine bearings when the ship is in the full draught condition.
-3 Other documents, such as those showing the results of structural analysis to evaluate the extent of
hull deflection, may be required by the Society in cases where the stern hull construction is
considered to be unconventional.
Sags and gaps between shaft coupling flanges in the uncoupled condition are to be calculated
under the condition that the bearing offsets from the reference line are those used in the
calculation described in paragraph 1.3.1 above.
In cases where the bearing load is measured using the jack-up technique, a document describing
the measurement procedures followed, including jack-up positions, load correction factors, and
expected jack-up loads, is to be prepared. The immersion of the propeller at the time of the
measurement is also to be considered in the bearing loads measured.
6
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
EXPLANATORY NOTES
1.1 General
1.1.1 Application
-1 In the design of shafting alignment, it is important to give the shaft as much flexibility as possible
against changes in bearing offsets caused by the effects of temperature and hull girder deflections
as well as to reduce the loads that concentrate at the aft end of the aftmost bearing due to the
weight of the propeller. Therefore, the following measures are generally taken to accommodate
these offsets: installation of the main engine below a predetermined reference line, installation of
the intermediate shaft bearing at a location far away from the main engine to some extent, and
other steps deemed suitable for the design adopted.
In the Society’s previous version of the Guidance to the Rules, shafting alignment calculations
were required only for oil-lubricated propeller shafts, where the length of the stern tube bearing is
shorter than that determined by the Rules or where the shaft is intended to be classed as a Kind
1C type shaft. However, because shafting alignment is originally to be examined without any
relation to these conditions, it was determined in the new version of the Guidance to the Rules
that the calculations are to be applied to all ships with oil-lubricated propeller shafts excluding
small ships, as described below.
Figure 1.1 shows the relationship between the diameter of propeller shafts and main engine
output. As can be seen from this figure, most of the oil-lubricated systems include a propeller
shaft of 400 mm or more. In the range of 300 - 400 mm, the region of the oil-lubricated systems
overlaps that of seawater-lubricated systems. However, comparatively few cases of damage are
found in engine bearings as well as stern tube bearings in the oil-lubricated systems in this range.
For this reason, small ships having a propeller shaft less than 400 mm in diameter are exempt
from the application of the calculation requirement, even if the shaft is of an oil-lubricated type
(see 6.2.13, Part D of the Rules).
1200
Seawater-lubricated shaft
800
600
400
200
0
100 1,000 10,000 100,000
Main engine output (kW)
Shafting alignment is affected by changes in temperature and hull deflection. In the calculation
sheets submitted until now, the examination of temperature changes has generally depended on
the shipbuilders’ design; that is, some shipbuilders had examined only cold condition while other
shipbuilders examined both cold and hot conditions. However, no shipbuilders had examined the
7
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
effects of hull deflections due to changes in ship draught for the reason that highly accurate
estimates were difficult and few measurement examples existed.
In the amended Guidance, the calculation conditions to be applied were determined according to
the type of main engine installed considering the effects of changes in temperature and draught, as
shown in Table 1.1.1-1 in the Guidance.
As can be seen from the table, the Guidance requires alignment calculations for both cold and hot
conditions under the ship’s light draught condition, regardless of the type of main engine employed.
In addition, when a two-stroke cycle diesel engine is installed, calculations are also required aimed
at preventing unloading of the engine bearings due to hull deflection under full load condition (hot
condition). The calculation equations used in this case are applied to ships with large differences
in draught, such as tankers, bulk carriers, and the like, but not to container ships, pure car
carriers, or similar types of ships. Also, paragraph 1.3.3 in the revised Guidance does not apply to
two-stroke cycle geared diesel engines, because provisions for two-stroke cycle engines were
prepared assuming a direct coupled engine.
-2 Where the length of the stern tube bearing is made shorter than that determined by the Rules or
where the propeller shaft is classed as a Kind 1C type shaft, provisions quite similar to those set in
the previous version of the Guidance are applied to shafting systems having an oil-lubricated
propeller shaft of less than 400 mm in actual diameter.
-3 The shafting alignment design mostly depends upon the knowledge and know-how of shipbuilders
and engine manufactures, and thus may not necessarily be based on the same or common criteria.
Therefore, even if the criteria proposed differ from those stated in the Guidance, the Society will
approve a design where the criteria are found to be acceptable.
The diameter and length of shafts, bearing length, concentrated loads, loading points, bearing
support points, and bearing offsets from reference line are input data for shafting alignment
calculations. It is also necessary to check the calculations themselves. Therefore, these data
should be specified in the drawing.
The reaction influence number (also known as “reaction influence coefficient”) is an important
parameter that relates to the flexibility of the shaft. As shown in Figure 1.2.2-3 in the Guidance,
the alignment calculations are to be carried out considering five or more bearings from the aft of
the engine, and all reaction influence numbers are to be specified in the drawing. However, a
simplified description that includes only five engine bearings is acceptable in cases where the
actual calculation is made considering five or more engine bearings (for example, all engine
bearings).
At a minimum, the bending moment acting on the shaft and the displacement of the shaft are to
be illustrated in the calculation results, and bearing loads (bearing reactions) are to be shown in an
accompanying table. The relative slope between the propeller shaft and the aftmost stern tube
bearing is to be shown with the position of the bearing support in the figure. In cases where the
bearing load (or pressure) acting on the aftmost stern tube bearing is calculated as a distributed
load (or pressure), the maximum bearing pressure is to be shown with a figure illustrating the
distribution.
The sag and gap between coupling flanges and the jack-up load in the bearing load measurement
(where required by the Guidance) are important information to be confirmed by the field surveyor.
Therefore, a document describing the measurement procedure employed including the calculated
values is also to be submitted to the Society. Moreover, the calculated values (target values) are to
be indicated with the applicable tolerances.
8
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
1.2.1 Loads
-1 In the amended version of the Guidance, a static load, i.e., the load acting on the shafting system
when the shaft is in the stand-still condition, is to be used in the shaft alignment calculations.
These provisions are the same as those in the previous version of the Guidance. However, there
are some cases where the bearing strength and certain other factors cannot be assessed accurately
using only a static load. Such examples are described below.
MP
In general, the bending moment, MP, can be said to be a kind of “safety enhancing” moment,
because it acts so that edge loading on the aft portion of the aftmost bearing may be reduced. MP
also causes a comparatively small change in load on the intermediate shaft bearings and engine
bearings. However, in a shafting system that includes reduction gears, small changes in the
inclination of the gear shaft may possibly affect the strength of the gear teeth. Therefore, in order
to examine the strength of the gear teeth in detail, it is necessary to confirm the changes in load
that take place on the gear shaft bearings using alignment calculations for the hot condition
considering the effect of MP.
Thrust collar
Thrust pads
Aftmost engine bearing
This MT need not be input in the alignment calculation because the calculation required by the
Guidance is for the static condition. MT may also act as a kind of “safety enhancing” moment in
view of the effect that it has on preventing the unloading of the second aftmost engine bearing
9
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
caused by hull deflection. However, unloading of the aftmost engine bearing might occur in a ship
in the light design draught condition. In order to prevent such a situation, it is important to
confirm the load of the aftmost bearing by the alignment calculation considering MT.
-2 Consideration needs to be given to buoyancy when evaluating the load that acts on a propeller.
Since the extent to which the propeller becomes immersed varies depending on the draught
condition of the ship, the load is to be obtained by subtracting the effect of buoyancy due to
immersion of the propeller from the weight of the propeller for that condition. In addition, it is
also recommended that buoyancy due to the lubricant in the stern tube also be considered, even
though such buoyancy will only have a small effect on the calculation results.
If the camshaft of the engine is driven by the crankshaft using a chain, the tension of the chain has
a comparatively large effect on the load of the aftmost and second aftmost engine bearings in cases
where the tension acts on the thrust collar. Consequently, this tension also needs to be included
in the calculation.
1.2.2 Bearings
-1 When performing a static alignment calculation, a model with one or two support points is used in
most cases for the aftmost stern tube bearing. The position of the support points is usually
assumed to be L/4 or D/3 (in the case of one-point support) or both ends of the bearing (in the case
of two-point support), which is considered to be normal practice in alignment design.
However, it is difficult to determine uniformly fixed positions for the support points in the
Guidance because the position will depend on the design of the alignment. Hence, a support
point position that differs from the above fixed positions will also be acceptable, unless it is
significantly distant from the normally standard position.
-2 With respect to the support condition of the bearings, a rigid (simple) support approach is used in
many alignment calculations, whereas there are few examples in which elastic (spring) support is
used. An oil-film support is needed for dynamic calculations. However, the effect of the oil-film
need not be considered in the Guidance, as the Guidance focuses on static calculations.
-3 In order to construct an exact model for alignment calculation, it is desirable to include all engine
bearings in the model. However, there have been numerous examples of calculation done until
now that have used a reduced number of engine bearings for the reason that there was little
difference in the load acting on the intermediate shaft bearing. Figure 2.3 shows the effect that
the number of bearings included in the calculation has on the bearing loads.
No. 1 - No. 4
No. 1 - No. 5
No. 1 - No. 6
No. 1 - No. 7
No. 1 - No. 8
No. 1 - No. 9
10
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
According to this figure, the loads on the aftmost and the second aftmost engine bearings change
significantly with an increase in the number of engine bearings included in the calculation. It can
be seen that five or more bearings are necessary in order to obtain a reasonably accurate
calculation of the bearing loads. It was thus determined from this fact that at least five engine
bearings from the aft of the engine are to be included in the calculation model.
When conducting an alignment calculation, the actual complex shape of the crankshaft needs to be
replaced with a simple beam (round bar). In the previous version of the Guidance, the use of an
equivalent shaft to represent the crankshaft was not prescribed. Consequently, there have been
cases when a simple beam with a diameter equivalent to the crank journal had been used when
carrying out alignment calculations.
However, the diameter of the equivalent crankshaft model in recent two-stroke diesel engines used
for propulsion has tended to become considerably smaller as the piston stroke has become longer.
In large, long stroke engines, the diameter has become approximately 60% of the journal diameter.
Because the bending stiffness of the equivalent shaft can differ markedly from that of the crank
journal, a brief description of the equivalent crankshaft model has been added in the revised
version of the Guidance in order that the most suitable equivalent diameter may used in the
alignment calculations.
The calculation model for a shafting system with a reduction gear, such as a main steam turbine
system or a geared diesel engine, generally ranges from the propeller to the fore bearing of the
wheel gear shaft. This approach has been newly described in the Guidance.
11
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
-1 Shaft alignment calculation for the cold condition is the basic calculation method used when
determining the positioning and installation of the shafting system. The calculation procedure
consists of first determining the positions of the bearings so that the proper values for the bearing
loads may be attained when the shafts are coupled in the cold condition. Next, the amount of sag
and gap between the coupling flanges is calculated in order that the bearings may be installed in
the calculated positions.
Coupling of the shafts is generally done in the light ballast condition (the draught condition in
which the propeller blades are exposed above the surface of the sea) after launching; however, in
some cases it is done while the ship is in the drydock condition before launching. The approach
adopted depends on the shipbuilder. It is therefore specified that application of the Guidance
would also include such situations.
-2 The strength of the aftmost stern tube bearing can be examined even by the alignment calculation
intended for the cold condition, because the effect of temperature and hull deflection on the bearing
load is small. If an exact assessment is required, the strength is to be determined based on the
dynamic loads in the hot condition. However, bearing damage can be avoided by evaluating edge
loading under the cold condition. Therefore, the allowable limit of the relative slope between the
propeller shaft and the aftmost stern tube bearing (or maximum bearing pressure) has been
prescribed for the cold condition, based on past practical experience and data summarized by the
Japan Institute of Marine Engineering [2].
In principle, the relative slope is to be calculated at the position of the support point shown in
Figure 1.2.2-1 in the Guidance. However, it should be noted that the bending moment due to
hydraulic propeller force, shown in Figure 2.1 of these Explanatory Notes, is not to be considered
in the calculation, because the allowable limit of the relative slope is prescribed for the static
condition.
The allowable limit of the nominal bearing pressure is the same as in the previous version of the
Guidance.
-3 The provisions of 1.3.1-3 in the revised Guidance are the same as in the previous version of the
Guidance. In a marine propulsion system, it is generally given that the bending moment of the
shaft becomes greatest due to the weight of the propeller at the position of the aftmost stern tube
bearing. This type of typical shafting system is the object considered in the Guidance.
-4 In ships with large differences in draught, the load of the aftmost engine bearing tends to increase
due to the influence of hull deflections, whereas that of the second aftmost engine bearing tends to
decrease (refer to paragraph 1.3.3 below). To prevent engine bearing damage that may occur in
such a situation, some shipbuilders install the shafting so that the aftmost engine bearing becomes
unloaded in the light ballast condition (cold condition) if the engine is of a recent two-stroke cycle
type.
Unloading of the aftmost bearing in the cold condition is acceptable because the strength of the
bearing is examined by the alignment calculation for the hot condition. However, careful
attention should be paid to this calculation for the cold condition. It should be noted that in
alignment calculations commonly used, the top clearance of the bearing is not considered.
Therefore, if the calculation results for the aftmost bearing load are negative, it is necessary to
carry out the calculations again excluding the bearing, in order to confirm the displacement of the
shaft at the position of the bearing. If the calculated displacement falls within the range for the
bearing top clearance, the result means that the bearing is unloaded (see Figure 3.1).
Moreover, calculation results that include a negative bearing load even though the bearing is
unloaded means that other bearings are taking up the load for the minus portion, and that the
12
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
load of other bearings differ from the actual respective values for each bearing. In order to
prevent such a situation from occurring, the Guidance specifies that calculation results with a
negative bearing load are not acceptable.
R1 Unloading
(-)
(+)
(+) (+)
(+) R3 R3’
R2’
R2
-1 This calculation condition is used to examine the strength of the intermediate shaft bearings,
engine bearings, and other bearings in the ship’s ballast condition when the propulsion machinery
is in the hot condition. It is assumed here that the hull girder deflection is the same as that in the
condition described in paragraph 1.3.1 above and that the differences in the change in bearing
offsets are only attributable to differences in temperature.
Temperature changes cause changes in the offsets of all bearings such as the stern tube bearings,
intermediate shaft bearings, gear shaft bearings, engine bearings, and the like. However, since
large offset changes are seen especially on gear shaft bearings and engine bearings, temperature
changes on at least these bearings are to be considered in the calculation. The amount of the
offset change is to be in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, as it varies depending on
the manufacturer and their respective models. For main engines, an increase in temperature of
from 20 to 55°C is generally considered and, as shown in Figure 3.2, the resulting change in the
bearing offset becomes larger as the scale of the engine (bore of the cylinder) becomes greater.
0.40
Change in bearing
0.30
offset (mm)
0.20
0.10
0.00
300 400 500 600 700 800 900
Cylinder bore (mm)
Figure 3.2 Relationship between change in bearing offset and cylinder bore.
-2 Buoyancy acting on the propeller changes depending on the extent of immersion of the propeller.
However, the effect of buoyancy is such a degree that the load on the aftmost stern tube bearing
changes only slightly, and changes in the loads on the intermediate shaft bearings and engine
bearings are negligible. Hence, the degree of propeller immersion to be considered in the
Guidance is, for example, to be either full immersion for the ballast condition or half immersion for
the light ballast condition, whichever is acceptable.
-3 Assuming that the bearing offset changes to some extent as a result of the influence of the change
in hull girder deflection that occurs before and after launching, in cases where shafts are coupled
before launching, the alignment calculation for the hot condition is to be carried out considering
the influence of the deflection as well as the change in temperature. However, according to the
results of measurements obtained up to now, the change in engine room double bottom deflection
13
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
before and after launching is comparatively small. Therefore, calculations carried out assuming
the hull deflection condition prior to launching may be acceptable, if consideration is given to the
effects of propeller buoyancy and the extent of thermal increase.
-4 Unloading of a bearing in the static condition, which means the detachment of the shaft from the
bearing, indicates the possibility that, when dynamic loads act on the shaft, the bearing may be hit
repeatedly by the shaft, resulting in eventual failure of the bearing. Therefore, all bearing loads
are to be positive in the running condition of the engine.
-5 In cases where a shafting system with reduction gear is used (see Figure 3.3), the gear teeth rather
than the bearings are susceptible to misalignment of the shafting. The contact condition between
the wheel and the pinion depends on the difference in the bearing loads on the fore and aft side of
the gear. The manufacturer of the gear box will usually determine the allowable limit for the hot
condition. The allowable limit depends on the manufacturer. Therefore, the Guidance specifies
that the system is to be so designed as not to exceed the allowable limit determined by the
manufacturer.
Thrust shaft
Propeller shaft Intermediate shaft Gear shaft
-6 As shown in Figure 2.1 of the Explanatory Notes, bending moment due to hydrodynamic propeller
force (upward moment caused by eccentric thrust force) is generated while the ship is underway,
resulting in a change in the load on the aftmost stern tube bearing. This bending moment has a
comparatively small effect on the loads of the intermediate shaft bearings or engine bearings,
which are to be examined in the calculation for light draught condition (hot condition). Although
the Society’s Guidance primarily assumes a static condition, it is acceptable to take this upward
moment by eccentric thrust force into account when performing calculations for the hot condition.
-1 Damage to engine bearings due to hull deflection have been seen in ships with large differences in
draught such as oil tankers, bulk carriers, and the like. A significant feature of the damage was
unloading of the second aftmost engine bearing, which was generally found to be attributable to
hull deflection behind the main engine. However, investigations by the Society also found that
unloading could take place at the third aftmost engine bearing as well as the second aftmost
engine bearing, depending on the design of the engine bearing offsets.
The Guidance specifies that the shafting alignment is to be designed so that the parameters, δ B2
and δ B3 , are not less than the allowable limit shown in Figure 1.3.3-1(a) in the Guidance. The
two parameters represent the difference in the extent of relative displacement of the hull due to
hull deflection that occurs between the “zero” or baseline displacement of the light draught, hot
condition, and the point at which hull deflection results in the second and third aftmost engine
bearings, respectively, becoming unloaded in the full draught, hot condition. This difference in
extent is measured at the aftmost bulkhead of the engine room. Said another way, it is an inverse
measure of the extent of displacement that must take place until unloading occurs. Hence, the
greater the value (i.e., the greater the margin before displacement results in unloading), the less
likelihood that unloading of the respective bearing due to deflection will occur. The value of these
parameters can be obtained using approximation equations provided by the Society. The
equations were developed based on the results of past structural analyses and measurements in
which relative displacement, δ , behind the main engine is expressed using the following equation:
14
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
δ B (X /L )1.5 (X ≤ L)
δ = { δ B {1.5 (X /L ) - 0.5} (X ≥ L)
(1)
where,
X : distance from support point of aftmost engine bearing (mm),
L : distance from support point of aftmost engine bearing to aftmost bulkhead of engine room (mm),
δ B : relative displacement of hull at position of aftmost bulkhead of engine room (mm).
Y
Relative
displacement δ = δ B (X/L)1.5
L
δ = δ B {1.5(X/L)-0.5}
If Equation (1) is assumed, the change in offsets of the intermediate shaft bearings and stern tube
bearings can be obtained by δ B . When relative displacement δ changes, the change in the
reaction of the second aftmost engine bearing, for example, can be calculated from changes in each
bearing offset behind the main engine and the respective reaction influence number with respect
to the second aftmost engine bearing. In cases where the second aftmost engine bearing becomes
unloaded, δ can be calculated inversely from the change in load (reaction) that occurs in the
second aftmost engine bearing and the reaction influence number for that bearing. δ B2 can be
obtained from δ at that time using Equation (1). The approximation equations for δ B2 and δ B3 in
the Guidance were derived using such a calculation process. The values of the reaction influence
numbers considered in the calculations will vary somewhat depending on the type of support used
for the bearings, which may either consist of rigid support (simple support) or elastic support.
Therefore, the Guidance provides equations to approximate δ B2 and δ B3 for both cases (see
Appendix A).
Bearing damage is not necessarily generated under a static draught when the ship is fully loaded,
but rather possibly generated by the influence of waves at that time. Figure 3.5 shows the values
of δ B2 or δ B3 , whichever are less, calculated in a shafting system where bearing damage due to
hull deflection has never occurred. The lower limit of δ B2 or δ B3 was determined as shown in
Equation (2) using L (mm) so that the line of the lower limit would be below these calculated data.
1 (mm) (L ≤ 9000)
Lower limit of δ B2 (or δ B3 ) = L (2)
1000 - 8 (mm) (9,000 ≤ L )
When δ B2 (or δ B3 ) exceeds the lower limit, the difference between δ B2 (or δ B3 ) and the lower limit
means that there is a sufficient a safety margin with respect to hull deflection up to the point of
unloading of the respective engine bearing. It can be said that δ B2 (or δ B3 ) is a parameter that
indicates the flexibility of the shaft to hull deflection.
15
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
20
10
Lower limit
0
6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
x1000
L (mm)
-2 In addition to the method described in sub-paragraph 1.3.3-1 above, there may be an appropriate
method for evaluating the strength of the bearings based on the results of structural analysis or
full-scale measurements. Therefore, if a document is submitted that includes an evaluation of the
engine bearings in the full load condition, the Society will examine the document and approve it,
where acceptable.
-3 The criteria described in sub-paragraph 1.3.3-1 above apply for ships with a standard stern
structure. If the ship has an unconventional stern structure, the approximation equation on
relative displacement of the hull can not be applied for the ship. Accordingly, in cases where the
stern hull structure is considered to be unconventional, a document including the results of
structural analysis and other relevant data on the hull deflection may be required by the Society.
The structural analysis is to be done to evaluate the relative displacement that occurs when the
ship’s draught changes from the light ballast condition (or ballast condition) to the full load
condition.
16
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
Any sags and gaps between coupling flanges are measured from the aftmost coupling to the
foremost coupling in turn to determine the positions of each bearing. The calculation sheet is to
include expected values of the sags and gaps with the relevant tolerances, and is to be submitted to
the site surveyor when the measurements are performed.
In general, bearing loads are measured using the jack-up method. The ‘jack-up method’ is a
technique used to obtain the bearing load from a jack load using a hydraulic jack that is placed
adjacently to the bearing to be measured. An outline of the measurement method is shown in
Figure 4.1.
As the oil pressure of the jack rises, the plotted point, that is the relationship between the jack load
and displacement, shifts from the initial state of A to the next state, B, in which the bearing load
becomes unloaded. When the oil pressure is raised further, the plotted point reaches the state C
with a change in the gradient of the jack-up curve. As oil pressure decreases from this state, the
plotted point returns to the state of A via states of D and E. The resulting curve of the change in
jack load plotted during the process of lifting and lowering the shaft by the hydraulic jack forms a
hysteresis curve, as shown in Figure 4.1.
Dial gauge D C
Decreasing
Displacement
E Increasing
B
Hydraulic jack
A Jack load
C
B (Bearing: unloaded)
Bearing support
A (Jack: no load)
Jack
The bearing load, RB , can be obtained by the following equation using jack load, RJ.
RB = C . RJ (3)
17
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
Attention should be paid to how to read RJ. In the event that Equation (4) is used to determine a
load correction factor, RJ should be the average of jack loads RI and RD. This average can be
obtained by extending two straight lines BC and DE to the position at which the displacement
becomes zero (see Figure 4.2).
Although the bearing load can be obtained from the jack load R′J which is read without extending
the lines BC and DE, it should be noted that, in this case, the definition of load correction factor is
different from Equation (4). That is,
RB = C′ . R′J (5)
IBJ
C′ = (6)
IJJ
Where,
IBJ : reaction influence number of bearing support with respect to jack support = IJB
IJJ : reaction influence number of jack support itself.
However, a number of measurements are made using Equations (3) and (4) based on past
experience.
I’JJ
Displacement
RI + RD
RJ =
Jack load 2
RD RJ RI R′J
References
[1] Guidelines on Shafting Alignment, Part A, “Guidelines on Shafting Alignment Taking into Account
Variation in Bearing Offsets while in Service ”, ClassNK, 2006.
[2] H. Yoshii, “Shaft Alignment ”, Journal of the JIME, Vol. 39, No. 9, p. 597, 2004.
18
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
A slope alignment approach is generally adopted when designing the installation of a marine
propulsion system in which the main engine is installed below a predetermined reference line.
When hull deflection takes place due to an increase in draught in such a shafting system, the
relative positions of each bearing to each other will change, as shown in Figure 1.1(a). Accurately
determining these changes in position will have a direct effect on determining the most suitable
alignment of the bearings and shafting. Hence, it is desirable to determine the relative difference in
position or displacement that occurs from the initial state of the ship in the light ballast condition
and after deflection in the fully loaded condition. The resulting relative displacement, as illustrated
in Figure 1.1(b), is based on the state of the shafting prior to deflection of the supporting hull
structures, assuming that the relative displacement of the engine portion of the shafting (the
crankshaft) is negligible. It is useful to set the initial condition as a baseline against which to
measure the relative displacement that results in the fully laden state. Hereinafter, the approximate
calculation of relative displacement of the hull, δ , behind the main engine is examined using the
XY-coordinate system shown in Figure 1.1(b), in which the aftmost engine bearing is defined as the
origin of the coordinate system. It is assumed that the changes in each bearing offset behind the
engine correspond to the relative displacement of the relevant part of the supporting hull structure.
Before deflection (Light ballast condition)
(a) M/E
Base line X
(b)
Relative displacement (δ )
Y
Although relative displacement, δ , along the length of the shafting aft from the aftmost engine
bearing to the aft bulkhead of the engine room can be determined by finite element analysis, it is also
found to be roughly proportional to the n power of X. Use of such a relation can help simplify the
process of determining the relative displacement for a given alignment.
8
Relative displacement δ (mm)
7 FEM
n = 1.4
6
n = 1.5
5 n = 1.6
4 n = 2.0
n = 3.0
3
2
1
0
0 5 10 15
19
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
Figure 1.2 shows a comparison between the result of finite element analysis and several Xⁿ curves
having various values of n, with respect to the relative displacement of the shafting from the aftmost
engine bearing to the aftmost bulkhead of the engine room in a 300,000 DWT oil tanker. The figure
indicates that an n of 1.5 gives the best approximation of the relative displacement. Similar results
were also seen in other ships. Hence, it is thought that the relative displacement of the hull
supporting the shafting from the aftmost engine bearing to the aftmost bulkhead of the engine room
can be expressed as a rough estimate using an n of 1.5 (that is, X 1.5 ).
The hull structure on the aft side of the engine room aftmost bulkhead includes a highly rigid stern
frame, which makes it possible to approximate the liner change in displacement of this part of the
hull. Therefore, the change in offsets of the stern tube bearings behind the aftmost bulkhead of the
engine room is given by the tangent to a curve with an exponent of X 1.5 at the position of the aftmost
bulkhead. Based on the approximation method mentioned above, relative displacement of the hull,
δ , due to the increase in draught can be expressed by Equation (1). Figure 1.3 shows the
calculation model used to determine the changes in each bearing offset behind the engine due to this
relative displacement of the hull.
δ B (X / L )1.5, (X ≤ L )
δ = { δ B { 1.5 (X / L ) – 0.5 }, (L ≤ X )
(1)
where,
Y
Relative
displacement δ = δ B (X/L)1.5
L
δ = δ B {1.5(X/L)-0.5}
Figure 1.3 Concept of relative displacement model used to calculate the changes
in each bearing offset behind the aftmost engine bearing.
In Equation (1) the relative displacement, δ , behind the engine is expressed with the distance, L ,
from the aftmost engine bearing to the aftmost bulkhead of the engine room, while δ B represents the
extent of relative displacement at the position of the bulkhead. Hence, δ B can be regarded as a
parameter to determine the relative displacement curve of the hull.
20
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
A coefficient known as a "reaction influence number" is commonly used in alignment calculations for
marine shafting. A reaction influence number is defined as a coefficient that indicates the relative
extent of change that occurs in a bearing reaction when the offset of a particular bearing changes for
a given unit value. For example, when the offsets of support points Nos. 1 to 4 change in the
shafting system shown in Figure 2.1(a), the amount of change in the reaction of support point No. 6
(the second aftmost engine bearing), ∆R6 , is expressed using reaction influence number, C m, n , as
follows:
δ3 δ4
δ2 4 C 6, 4
(a) δ1 3 Change in bearing reaction
C 6,3 = ∆R 6
2
1 C 6,2
C 6,1
(b)
δB
S6
Equation (2) can be rewritten using the relative displacement model of the hull described in section 1.
This is because the changes in the offsets of support points Nos. 1 to 4 are obtained by Equation (1).
Consequently, Equation (2) can be rewritten as follows using δ B and Xn, where Xn is the distance
from support point No. 5 (the aftmost engine bearing) to support point n in which:
∆R 6 = δ B S6 , (3)
3 4
S6 = Σ C 6, n {1.5 (X n / L ) - 0.5} + Σ C 6, n (X n / L ) 1.5. (4)
n =1 n=4
21
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
numbers, C 6, n (n = 1 to 4). If we assume that the whole of the relative displacements of the support
points, δ n, can be replaced with the relative displacement of the hull, δ B , at the position of the engine
room aftmost bulkhead, as shown in Figure 2.1(b), S6 can be regarded as an equivalent reaction
influence number that reflects the total combined effect of each reaction influence number, C 6, n (n = 1
to 4), on that point.
In the following equation, this equivalent influence number is generalized in order to obtain the
influence numbers for each engine bearing. Now, assuming that Si is the increase of reaction at
engine bearing No. i (from aft) when the hull is displaced downward by 1 mm at the position of the
engine room aftmost bulkhead, then this Si is expressed by following equation:
a-1 b-1
S i = Σ C b + i-1, n (1.5 x n - 0.5) + Σ C b + i-1, n x n 1.5, (5)
n =1 n =a
xn = Xn /L
where,
n : number of support point (counted from the aft of the shafting),
a : number of the nearest support point forward of the aftmost bulkhead of engine room (counted
from the aft of the shafting),
b : number of support point of the aftmost engine bearing (counted from the aft of the shafting),
X n : distance from support point b to n,
L : distance from support point b to aftmost bulkhead of engine room,
C m, n : amount of increase in reaction (reaction influence number) at support point m , when support
point n is displaced downward by 1 mm.
In Equation (5), it should be noted that the subscript i in S i indicates the number of the bearing as
counted from the aft of the engine. S 6 in Equation (4) corresponds to S 2 (i =2) in Equation (5),
where a and b are 4 and 5, respectively.
22
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
Using the reaction influence number S i , connecting with hull deformation, we can determine the
amount of relative displacement of the hull that would cause the i th engine bearing to become
unloaded. There are two cases in which either elastic support (spring support) or rigid support
(simple support) are used as the support condition of the bearings to calculate the reaction influence
numbers, Cm, n . Each case is examined below.
∆R i = 0 – R i = δ Bi S i .
Hence,
δ Bi = – R i / S i . (6)
Since unloading of engine bearings due to hull deflection is often limited to the second or third
aftmost bearing in most cases, both δ B2 and δ B3 are to be calculated and whichever is less is to be
compared with the lower limit.
Assuming that reaction Ri does not change even if the effect of the stiffness (spring) is considered,
the displacement of each support point after loading is expressed with the stiffness K (= constant) of
each support point using the following equation:
hi = Ri / K . (7)
In the discussion below, we examine the change in bearing reaction when the hull deflects from the
initial condition shown in Figure 3.1(b) due to an increase of draught. Figure 3.2 shows the change
in the support point (contact point with the shaft) that occurs before and after hull deflection. As
can be seen from this figure, it is assumed that the change in the vertical position of the support
point shown here is not caused by the deflection of hull structure below the engine, but by the elastic
deformation of the engine bed due to the increase in the bearing load.
23
PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
Reference line
Bearing offset input
Ri hi
(Before hull deflection) δi R′ i
(After hull deflection)
In paragraph 3.1 above, a simple calculation could be used to give the bearing reactions of each
bearing after hull deflection. However, in order to obtain the bearing reactions after hull deflection
using reaction influence numbers based on rigid support, the equations that include the reactions
and displacements of the support points as variables need to be solved for specific conditions.
Setting the number of engine bearings at five and denoting the relative displacement of the hull at
the position of the engine room aftmost bulkhead by δ B, changes in the reactions of each engine
bearing can be expressed as follows:
R′ 1 – R 1 = S 1 δ B + C 1, 1 δ 1 + C 1, 2 δ 2 + C 1, 3 δ 3 + C 1, 4 δ 4 + C 1, 5 δ 5 ,
R′ 2 – R 2 = S 2 δ B + C 2, 1 δ 1 + C 2, 2 δ 2 + C 2, 3 δ 3 + C 2, 4 δ 4 + C 2, 5 δ 5 ,
R′ 3 – R 3 = S 3 δ B + C 3, 1 δ 1 + C 3, 2 δ 2 + C 3, 3 δ 3 + C 3, 4 δ 4 + C 3, 5 δ 5 , (8)
R′ 4 – R 4 = S 4 δ B + C 4, 1 δ 1 + C 4, 2 δ 2 + C 4, 3 δ 3 + C 4, 4 δ 4 + C 4, 5 δ 5 ,
R′ 5 – R 5 = S 5 δ B + C 5, 1 δ 1 + C 5, 2 δ 2 + C 5, 3 δ 3 + C 5, 4 δ 4 + C 5, 5 δ 5 ,
where,
i : number of support point (engine bearings) counted from the aft of the engine,
R i : reaction of support point i (counted from the aft of the engine) before hull deflection,
R′ i : reaction of support point i (counted from the aft of the engine) after hull deflection,
δ i : elastic displacement of support point i (counted from the aft of the engine),
C i, j : amount of increase of reaction (reaction influence number) at support point i when support
point j is displaced downward by 1 mm. (i, j : number of support point counted from the aft of
the engine).
(Note that the meaning of the subscripts in Equation (8) differ from those in Equation (2).)
R′ i – R i = K δ i , (9)
S 1 δ B + (C 1, 1 – K ) δ 1 + C 1, 2 δ 2 + C 1, 3 δ 3 + C 1, 4 δ 4 + C 1, 5 δ 5 = 0,
S 2 δ B + C 2, 1 δ 1 + (C 2, 2 – K ) δ 2 + C 2, 3 δ 3 + C 2, 4 δ 4 + C 2, 5 δ 5 = 0,
S 3 δ B + C 3, 1 δ 1 + C 3, 2 δ 2 + (C 3, 3 – K ) δ 3 + C 3, 4 δ 4 + C 3, 5 δ 5 = 0, (10)
S 4 δ B + C 4, 1 δ 1 + C 4, 2 δ 2 + C 4, 3 δ 3 + (C 4, 4 – K ) δ 4 + C 4, 5 δ 5 = 0,
S 5 δ B + C 5, 1 δ 1 + C 5, 2 δ 2 + C 5, 3 δ 3 + C 5, 4 δ 4 + (C 5, 5 – K ) δ 5 = 0.
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PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
In Equation (10), we consider the situation that the second aftmost engine bearing becomes unloaded
after hull deflection, which is expressed by the following equation:
δ 2 = – h2 = – R2 / K . (11)
This indicates that the support point of the second aftmost engine bearing moves upward so that the
displacement, h 2 , which is due to the bearing load R 2 before hull deflection return to the original
state, in other words, the restoring force of the spring may be zero.
Let δ B2 be the relative displacement, δ B , which causes the second aftmost engine bearing to become
unloaded. Then, the following simultaneous equations with five variables, i.e., δ B2, δ 1, δ 3 , δ 4 , and
δ 5 , need to be solved in order to find δB2 , since δ 2 is not a variable:
S 1 δ B2 + (C 1, 1 – K ) δ 1 + C 1, 3 δ 3 + C 1, 4 δ 4 + C 1, 5 δ 5 = C 1, 2 R 2 /K ,
S 2 δ B2 + C 2, 1 δ 1 + C 2, 3 δ 3 + C 2, 4 δ 4 + C 2, 5 δ 5 = (C 2, 2 – K ) R 2 /K ,
S 3 δ B2 + C 3, 1 δ 1 + (C 3, 3 – K ) δ 3 + C 3, 4 δ 4 + C 3, 5 δ 5 = C 3, 2 R 2 /K , (12)
S 4 δ B2 + C 4, 1 δ 1 + C 4, 3 δ 3 + (C 4, 4 – K ) δ 4 + C 4, 5 δ 5 = C 4, 2 R 2 /K ,
S 5 δ B2 + C 5, 1 δ 1 + C 5, 3 δ 3 + C 5, 4 δ 4 + (C 5, 5 – K ) δ 5 = C 5, 2 R 2 /K ,
Figure 3.3 illustrates the state of the shafting and relative displacement of the engine bearings
before and after hull deflection.
R1
R2 R3 R4 R 5
R’1
R’3 R’4 R’5
R’2
δ B2 R’2 = 0 : δ 2 = – h 2
[D2 ] [δ B2 ] = h 2 [C 2 ] , (13)
where,
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PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
S1 C 1, 1K C 1, 3 C 1, 4 C 1, 5 δ B2 C 1, 2
S2 C 2, 1 C 2, 3 C 2, 4 C 2, 5 δ1 C 2, 2K
[D2 ] = S 3 C 3, 1 C 3, 3K C 3, 4 C 3, 5 , [δ B2 ] = δ 3 , [C 2 ] = C 3, 2 ,
S4 C 4, 1 C 4, 3 C 4, 4K C 4, 5 δ4 C 4, 2
S5 C 5, 1 C 5,3 C 5,4 C 5,5K δ5 C 5, 2
h2 = R 2 / K ,
C i, i K = C i. i – K ( i = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 ).
Hence,
where, ([D2] INV) L1 denotes the elements (vector) of the first row of [D2] INV.
Similarly, the relative displacement δ B3 which results in the third aftmost engine bearing to become
unloaded can be obtained by solving the following simultaneous equations with five variables (the
matrix representation is omitted):
S 1 δ B3 + (C 1, 1 – K ) δ 1 + C 1, 2 δ 2 + C 1, 4 δ 4 + C 1, 5 δ 5 = C 1, 3 R 3 /K ,
S 2 δ B3 + C 2, 1 δ 1 + (C 2, 2 – K ) δ 2 + C 2, 4 δ 4 + C 2, 5 δ 5 = C 2, 3 R 3 /K ,
S 3 δ B3 + C 3, 1 δ 1 + C 3, 2 δ 2 + C 3, 4 δ 4 + C 3, 5 δ 5 = (C 3, 3 – K ) R 3 /K , (16)
S 4 δ B3 + C 4, 1 δ 1 + C 4, 2 δ 2 + (C 4, 4 – K ) δ 4 + C 4, 5 δ 5 = C 4, 3 R 3 /K ,
S 5 δ B3 + C 5, 1 δ 1 + C 5, 2 δ 2 + C 5, 4 δ 4 + (C 5, 5 – K ) δ 5 = C 5, 3 R 3 /K .
In a shafting alignment with constant offsets of the engine bearings, the calculation of δ B2 is
sufficient to check the strength of all engine bearings, because the load on the second aftmost engine
bearing decreases as draught increases. However, in some cases where the engine bearing offsets
are unequal, the load on the third aftmost engine bearing could decrease. Consequently, both δ B2
and δ B3 , in general, should be calculated and whichever is less is to be compared with the lower limit.
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PART B AMENDMENT OF THE GUIDANCE TO THE RULES AND ITS EXPLANATORY NOTES
4 Calculation Example
Figure 4.1 and Table 4.1 show the dimensions of the shafting prepared to test and verify the
calculations and the reaction influence numbers, respectively. The values of the reaction influence
numbers were obtained based on the assumption of rigid support for the bearings, therefore
paragraph 1.3.3-1.(2) of the Annex to the Guidance was applied in the calculation of δ B2 and δ B3 .
The reactions and offsets of the bearings under the hot condition are shown in Table 4.2.
6
This table shows that the second aftmost engine Allowable limit
bearing will first become unloaded when the 4
ship’s draught increases and δ B reaches 7.26 mm.
2
Figure 4.2 shows a comparison between δ B2 and
the allowable limit in the case of L = 10,400 mm. 0 3
5 7 9 11 13 15x10
L (mm)
Figure 4.2 Comparison between δ B2 and
the allowable limit.
27
NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI