NR 600, Ch 6, Sec 4
3.5.2 Visual and non-destructive examinations
After completion of the welding operation and workshop
inspection, the structure is to be presented to the Surveyor
for visual examination at a suitable stage of fabrication.
As far as possible, the results on non-destructive examina-
tions are to be submitted.
Non-destructive examinations are to be carried out with
appropriate methods and techniques suitable for the indi-
vidual applications, to be agreed with the Surveyor on a
case-by-case basis.
Radiographic examinations are to be carried out on the
welded connections of the hull in accordance with [3.5.3].
The results are to be made available to the Society. The sur-
veyor may require to witness some testing preparations.
The Society may allow radiographic examinations to be
replaced by ultrasonic examinations.
When the visual or non-destructive examinations reveal the
presence of unacceptable indications, the relevant connec-
tion is to be repaired to sound metal for an extent and
according to a procedure agreed with the Surveyor. The
repaired zone is then to be submitted to non-destructive
examination, using a method deemed suitable by the Sur-
veyor to verify that the repair is satisfactory.
Additional examinations may be required by the Surveyor
on a case-by-case basis.
Ultrasonic and magnetic particle examinations may also be
required by the Surveyor in specific cases to verify the qual-
ity of the base material.
3.5.3 Radiographic inspection
A radiographic inspection is to be carried out on the welded
butts of shell plating, strength deck plating as well as of
members contributing to the longitudinal strength. This
inspection may also be required for the joints of members
subject to heavy stresses.
The present requirements constitute general rules: the
number of radiographs may be increased where requested by
the Surveyor, mainly where visual inspection or radiographic
soundings have revealed major defects, specially for butts of
sheerstrake, stringer plate, bilge strake or keel plate.
Provisions alteration to these rules may be accepted by the
Society when justified by the organization of the shipyard or
of the inspection department; the inspection is then to be
equivalent to that deduced from the present requirements.
As far as automatic welding of the panels butt welds during
the pre-manufacturing stage is concerned, the shipyard is to
carry out random non-destructive testing of the welds (radi-
ographic or ultrasonic inspection) in order to ascertain the
regularity and the constancy of the welding inspection.
In the midship area, radiographies are to be taken at the
joinings of panels.
Each radiography is situated in a butt joint at a cross-shaped
welding.
188 Bureau Veritas
In a given ship cross-section bounded by the panels, a radi-
ography is to be made of each butt of sheerstrake, stringer,
bilge and keel plate; in addition, the following radiogra-
phies are to be taken:
• bottom plating: two
• deck plating: two
• side shell plating: two each side.
For ships where B + C ≤ 15 m, only one radiography for
each of the above items is required.
This requirement remains applicable where panel butts are
shifted or where some strakes are built independently from
the panels. It is recommended to take most of these radiog-
raphies at the intersections of butt and panel seams.
Still in the midship area, a radiographic inspection is to be
taken, at random, of the following main members of the
structure:
• butts of continuous longitudinal bulkheads
• butts of longitudinal stiffeners, deck and bottom girders
contributing to the overall strength
• assembly joints of insert plates at the corners of the
openings.
Outwards the midship area, a programme of radiographic
inspection at random is to be set up by the shipyard in
agreement with the Surveyor for the major points. It is fur-
ther recommended:
• to take a number of radiographies of the very thick parts
and those comprising restrained joint, such as shaft
brackets, solid keel and its connection to bottom struc-
ture, chain plates welding, stabilizer recesses, masts
• to take a complete set of radiographies or to increase the
number of radiographies for the first joint of a series of
identical joints. This recommendation is applicable not
only to the assembly joints of prefabricated members
completed on the slip, but also to joints completed in
the workshop to prepare such prefabricated members.
Where a radiography is rejected and where it is decided to
carry out a repair, the shipyard is to determine the length of
the defective part, then a set of inspection radiographies of
the repaired joint and of adjacent parts is to be taken.
Where the repair has been decided by the inspection office
of the shipyard, the film showing the initial defect is to be
submitted to the Surveyor together with the film taken after
repair of the joint.
3.5.4 Acceptance criteria
The quality standard adopted by the shipyard is to be sub-
mitted to the Society and applies to all constructions unless
otherwise specified on a case-by-case basis.
3.6 Modifications and repairs during con-
struction
3.6.1 General
Deviations in the joint preparation and other specified
requirements, in excess of the permitted tolerances and
found during construction, are to be repaired as agreed with
the Society on a case-by-case basis.
February 2017