Platings

Platings
The hull structure comprises joined plates whose thickness depends on vessel type and size. As expected, larger ships have heavier scantlings of plates, and smaller vessels have lower values. The plating thickness also depends on the location.
The plating thickness at the bottom and sides is higher than the deck plating. Generally, for all practical purposes, the thickness of the steel plates for smaller vessels (<100 m) is within the range of 10-15 mm, whereas for larger ships (>100 mm), it is greater than 10mm.
Now, the plates available for shipbuilding are of various forms. They may be flat or bend depending on the requirement. For example, plates used at deck and side shells are primarily straight, whereas those at the corner locations like bilge areas are bent.
In a broad sense, the plates used are classified as bottom shells, side shells, and deck platings. The types of steel depend on the structural areas and the thicknesses. The most common types of plates used are steel grades A, B, D, or E, including sub-categories.