hull integrity
Ship's watertight condition
Hull integrity refers to the structural soundness of a vessel's outer shell—whether a ship, submarine, or spacecraft.
When hull integrity is compromised, the vessel risks taking on water or losing atmospheric pressure.
The term appears constantly in science fiction: Captain, hull integrity at forty percent!
In engineering contexts, it describes how well a hull withstands stress, pressure, and impact.
- patchingRepairing by covering
- crackNarrow break or attempt
- rivetsPermanent metal fasteners
- reinforcementAdding support or encouragement
- fractureSplit in hard material
sealing · airtight seal · plate · watertight compartments · damage control · bulkhead · steel · leak · welding · pressure · frame · puncture · stress · corrosion resistance · corrosion · shell · emergency · visual inspection
- Ship Safetyfire drill, safety gear, safety equipment, crew safety, safety audit
- space safetycrew safety, life support, space suit, spacesuit, spacesuits
- seaworthinessstability, buoyancy, watertight, freeboard, bilge pumps
- boating safetylife jackets, life vests, PFDs, fire extinguisher, fire extinguishers
hull integrityhull breach
Outer shell compromised
structural failure · hull damage · metal fatigue · breach · structural weakness
hull integritydecompression
Reduction of pressure
containment failure · explosive decompression · total loss · flooding · taking on water