Comparison of the JTP and JBP Drafts With Other Class Rules

The present paper compares the scantling criteria of the rules issued by Class ABS, BV, DNV, GL, LR, RINA, with the newly proposed JTP and JBP draft rules. The comparison is performed first on a general basis, highlighting features and trends in the evolution of the rules for ships scantling in recent years. A selection of main rules formulations is then examined in more details and a numerical comparison of the application of rules to some structural elements in the cargo area amidship of typical longitudinally stiffened vessels. The aim is to provide an external qualitative and, to some extent, quantitative overview of the ongoing harmonization process of shipbuilding scantling regulations.