Naval Ship Access Design

Abstract

The paper begins with a description of access design as a key element in effectiveness of the naval ship. The process of integrating access requirements with competitive subsystem requirements is then discussed. Next follows a discussion of the design methodologies used in each aspect of shipboard access which includes analysis and evaluation of the network of passages, vertical accesses, and access openings with regard to personnel flow, equipment removal, stores “strike—down,” emergency egress, and unique requirements for specific ship types. In addition to discussing existing methodologies, the paper concludes with a summary of potential areas of further improvement in access design.

The Process of Na Val Ship General Arrangement Design and Analysis

“…For some subsystems, powerful tools exist to perform quantitative assessment, such as Combat Capability Assessment, Ship Vulnerability Model, and Personnel Flow Simulation. [6][7] [8] In other areas such tools do not exist and qualitative judgments are used. In fact, even with the tools cited, some qualitative assessment of the numerical results is needed to determine the subsystem score.…”

“…This attribute is but one element of access design; two others are equipment removal and stores strikedown. [8] Thus, in evaluating access design, the quantitative results measured by the personnel flow simulation must be combined with a more qualitative assessment of equipment removal and stores strikedown.…”