Section 3 Shaft alignment calculation
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Clasifications Register Rules and Regulations - Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Naval Ships, January 2023 - Volume 2 Machinery and Engineering Systems - Part 5 Shaft Vibration and Alignment - Chapter 4 Shaft Alignment - Section 3 Shaft alignment calculation

Section 3 Shaft alignment calculation

3.1 Design calculations

3.1.2 For the purpose of the calculations, the following assumptions are to be made:

  1. The shafting base line, to which all slopes and deflections are to be referred, is to be taken as the nominal centreline of the shafting as shown on the shafting arrangement plan. This is to be established as the line of sight on the vessel.

  2. The centreline of the shaft at the mid-length of the bearing adjacent to the propeller lies on the nominal centreline of the shafting.

  3. The centreline of the shaft at the mid-length of each of the other bearings lies initially on the nominal centreline of the shafting.

  4. The propeller and shaft masses act at right angles to the nominal centreline.

  5. The propeller and shaft weights are reduced due to immersion in water and oil as applicable.

  6. The load distribution in the outboard bearings and sterntube bearings is not uniform along the bearing length.

  7. The load on each plummer and bulkhead bearing is concentrated at the mid-length of the bearing.

3.1.3 The bearing loads corresponding with the shaft centreline at each bearing lying on the nominal centreline of the shafting are to be calculated together with a set of influence coefficients for each bearing. The set of influence coefficients for one bearing is to show for a downwards vertical displacement at that bearing of 0,25 mm, the change in load upon it and upon each of the other bearings.

3.1.4 If the distribution of the bearing loads corresponding with the shaft centreline at each bearing lying on the nominal centreline of the shafting is not acceptable, a satisfactory distribution of load is to be obtained by introducing vertical offsets of the bearings upwards or downwards as necessary.

3.1.5 In some arrangements, the disposition of the main gearbox relative to the nearest plummer block may result in an excessive bending stress in the shaft unless the main gearwheel shaft bearings are assumed to carry the weight of the part of the intervening shafting in addition to the weight of the gearwheel and its shaft. In such arrangements, offsets for the main wheel bearings are to be selected to provide a distribution of load on the main gearwheel forward and aft bearings acceptable to the gearing designer.

3.1.6 Using the selected bearing offsets, the bending moment and deflection diagrams are to be drawn and the slopes through the sterntube and bracket bearings relative to a defined datum established both for as new and for maximum weardown of outboard bearings.

3.1.7 To ensure that the shafting system will be supported at the slope and heights calculated, allowance is to be made for:

  1. Bearing clearances.

  2. Compression of bearing materials under load.

  3. Expansion of bearing material due to immersion in water.


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