NAVEL ARCHITECTURE

RUDDER
The rudder is used to steer the ship. The turning action is largely dependent on the area of
the rudder. The required area of the rudder varies with different type of vessels since (1) desire
maneuvering ability differs considerably and the general (2) ship design may imposed restriction.
In practice the rudder area is usually relative to the area of the immersed metal plane.
The ratio of the depth to width of a rudder is known as the aspect ratio and is usually
region two.
When a rudder is turn from the centerline plane to any angle, the water flows round the
rudder and creates an additional resistance on that side of the centerline, the force that acts on
the rudder parallel to, the centerline to the two components.
1. The force created by formation of streamline around the rudder that is due to change in
direction of the water.
2. The suction on the after side of the rudder caused by eddying (a7_yef0J*7uf).
The force on the rudder depend on
1. Area of the rudder
2. The form of rudder
3. The speed of the ship
4. The angle of helm (yJhxdef;vufudkif)
Rudder may be (1) hinged on the pintles and gudgeons, or the may turn about and (2) axle
which passes down through the rudder.
The weight rudder may be taken by (1) bearing pintles, or by a (2) bearing at the rudder head
(carrier), or by a (3) combination of both.
A rudder with all of it area aft of the turning axis is known as unbalanced rudder.
A rudder with a small part of its area, less than 20%, forward of the turning axis is semibalance rudder.
When 25%~30% of the area is forward of the turning axis there is no torque on the rudder
stock at certain angles and such an arrangement is therefore known as a balanced rudder.
It is usual to limit the rudder angle to 35 on each side of the centerline, since, if this angle
is exceeded, the diameter of the turning circle is increased.
RUDDER STOCK

UNBALANCE
RUDDER

BALANCE
RUDDER

NAVEL ARCHITECTURE

CONSTRUCTION
Modern rudders are of stream lined form and are fabricated from steel plate, the plate size
being stiffen by internal webs. Where the rudder is fully fabricated, one side plate is prepared
and the vertical and horizontal stiffening webs are welded to this plate.
The other plate often called the closing plate is then welded to the internal webs from the
exterior only. This may be achieved by welding, flap bars to the webs prior to fitting the closing
plate, and then slot welding the plate.
The upper face is formed into a usually horizontal flat palm (vufz0g;), which acts as the
coupling point for the rudderstock.
A lifting hole is provided in the rudder to enable a vertical inline lift of a rudder when it is
being fitted or removed. This lifting hole takes the form of a short piece of tube welded through
the rudder with doubling at the side and closing plate.
A drain hole is provided at the bottom of the rudder to check for water entry when the ship
is examined in dry dock.
To prevent internal corrosion the interior surfaces are suitably coated, and in some cases
the rudder may be filled with inert plastic foam.
The rudder is tested when complete under a head of water 2.45 M above the top of the
rudder.
RUDDER BEARING
The rudder is supported by pintles, which fits into the gudgeons. The upper parts of each
pintle are taper and fit into a similar taper and in the rudder gudgeons. The pintle is pulled hard
against the taper by means of a nut with some suitable locking device.
A brass liner if fitted around the lower part of the pintle. The lignum vitae or synthetic
materials like Tufnol are used for bearing.
Bottom pintle is known as bearing pintle. It rest on harden steel disc. A hole is drilled in
the gudgion, with a smaller hole in the bearing pads to allow for the free circulation of water
which act as the lubricant for bearing, an along the bearing disc to be punched out when worm.
The weight of the rudder may be carried partly by the lower pintle and partly by a rudder
carrier within the hull.
In some rudder type, for example, the spate types which only supported within the hull. The
carrier carries the full weight.
A rudder carrier may incorporate the watertight gland fitted at upper end of the rudder
trunk. Most of the rudders weight may come onto the carrier bearing if excessive wear down of
the lower pintle occur, and the bearings have cast iron cone which limit the wear down.