Keel

Keel
This is perhaps the most critical structural member of any vessel compared to the backbone or the foundation of any building. Keel is the bottommost structural member of the ship and runs longitudinally unstinted from forward to aft.
All load paths from the structural members in the hull are directed towards the keel, which absorbs a considerable load. Besides these, the keel must also withstand many external loads from the environment when the vessel is underway. Usually, laying the keel is the first step in the construction process of most ships.
The keel should be aligned with the vessel’s centreline. It has the highest degree of scantlings or dimensions for apparent reasons.
Keels are primarily of three types: i) Flat Plate, ii) Bar Keel, iii) Duct Keel. A flat plate keel is the most common among the three.