On ships this term is used to define a structural member which provides support for more closely spaced members, such as beams, frames, stiffeners, etc., which are at right angles to it and which either rest upon it or are attached to its web. It may be longitudinal or transverse, continuous or intercoastal, and is usually supported by bulkheads and stanchions. The term is also used to designate the longitudinal members in the double bottom.
Kwinqanawe esi sisigama esisetyenziselwa ukucacisa amalungu akhiweyo anika uncedo kumalungu asondelelane kakhulu aphane nezithuba kananjalo, malungu lawo akwikona ezi zizo zokudibanisa, ezinye zixhonywe kuloo malungu, zincanyathiselwe kuloo nto ibusigcawu. Ingayinto ebhekele phaya, eyahluke kubini eqhubekekayo, kumanxwemem onke idla ngokuncediswa ziintsimbi, imithi eyomeleleyo. Isigama siya setyenziswa ukwenza amalungu abheke phaya kumzantsi ophinda-phindeneyo.