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IS 5488:1987 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for dimensions and dimensional tolerances for hot rolled steel plates for the ship’s hull structure. This standard specifies the dimensions and dimensional tolerances for hot-rolled steel plates, ranging from 3 mm to 40 mm in thickness, intended for use in the construction of a ship's hull structure. It covers permissible variations in thickness, width, length, flatness, and edge profile.
Dimensions and dimensional tolerances for hot rolled steel plates for the ship’s hull structure
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Structural Engineering — Structural Engineering and Structural Sections
! This standard is critical for procurement and quality control of steel plates in shipyards to ensure proper fit-up during fabrication.
! Note that tolerances for width and length are typically positive-only, meaning plates may be supplied slightly larger but not smaller than the ordered dimensions.
! This code must be used in conjunction with a material standard (like IS 2062) which specifies the mechanical and chemical properties of the steel itself.
ISO 7452:2013ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
HighCurrent
Shipbuilding — Hot-rolled steel plates — Tolerances on dimensions and shape, and mass
Directly specifies dimensional and shape tolerances for hot-rolled steel plates for shipbuilding.
EN 10029:2010CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
MediumCurrent
Hot-rolled steel plates 3 mm thick or above — Tolerances on dimensions and form
Covers tolerances for general hot-rolled steel plates, not exclusively for shipbuilding.
ASTM A6/A6M-22ASTM International, USA
MediumCurrent
Standard Specification for General Requirements for Rolled Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes, and Sheet Piling
Provides general requirements and tolerances for various structural steel products including plates.
JIS G 3193:2020JSA (Japanese Standards Association), Japan
MediumCurrent
Dimensions, mass and permissible variations for hot rolled steel plates, sheets and strip
Defines tolerances for a broader range of hot-rolled steel products, including plates for general use.
Key Differences
≠IS 5488:1987 specifies two thickness tolerance classes ('Normal' and 'Closer'), whereas its direct equivalent, ISO 7452, provides four classes (A, B, C, D), offering more granularity and tighter control options.
≠IS 5488 provides a single category for flatness tolerance. Modern standards like ISO 7452 offer at least two classes (e.g., Normal Class N and Special Class S), which are often dependent on the steel's yield strength.
≠The Indian standard is from 1987 and has not been revised, while international equivalents like ISO 7452:2013 are more recent, reflecting modern steel production capabilities and offering generally tighter tolerances.
≠The scope of IS 5488 covers plates from 5 mm to 100 mm thick. ISO 7452 covers a wider range, typically from 3 mm up to 250 mm thick.
Key Similarities
≈Both IS 5488 and its international counterparts like ISO 7452 share the primary purpose of defining dimensional, shape, and mass tolerances for hot-rolled steel plates used in ship hull construction.
≈All standards cover the same fundamental parameters: tolerances for thickness, width, length, flatness (waviness), and out-of-squareness.
≈The methodology for specifying tolerances is similar, with values typically provided in tables and varying based on the nominal dimension (e.g., thickness, width) of the plate.
≈Both IS 5488 and ISO 7452 use an identical assumed density for steel (7.85 g/cm³ or 7.85 kg/dm³) for the calculation of nominal mass.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Assumed Steel Density for Mass
7.85 g/cm³
7.85 kg/dm³
ISO 7452:2013
Thickness Tolerance (Normal, 10mm plate)
-0.3 / +1.2 mm (for nominal thickness >8 to 15 mm)
-0.3 / +1.2 mm (Class A, for thickness 8 ≤ t < 15 mm)
ISO 7452:2013
Thickness Tolerance (Closer, 10mm plate)
±0.40 mm (for nominal thickness >8 to 15 mm)
±0.25 mm (Class D, for thickness 8 ≤ t < 15 mm)
ISO 7452:2013
Width Tolerance (Trimmed, 2000mm wide plate)
-0 / +20 mm (for width >1500 to 2500 mm)
-0 / +12 mm (for width 1500 ≤ w < 2500 mm)
ISO 7452:2013
Length Tolerance (8000mm long plate)
-0 / +50 mm (for length >6000 to 9000 mm)
-0 / +40 mm (calculated as 0.005 x L)
ISO 7452:2013
Flatness Tolerance (Normal, 10mm plate)
14 mm over 2000 mm gauge length
9 mm over 2000 mm gauge length (Class N)
ISO 7452:2013
Out-of-Squareness Tolerance
Max 1.0% of the actual plate width
Max 1.0% of the actual plate width
ISO 7452:2013
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Scope of Plate Thickness3 mm to 40 mm
Thickness Tolerance for 10mm Plate±0.45 mm
Width Tolerance for Plate up to 1500mm wide+20 / -0 mm
Length Tolerance for Plate up to 6000mm long+20 / -0 mm
Maximum Edge Camber0.2% of the length of the edge
Maximum Out-of-Square1.0% of the actual width of plate
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Tolerance on Thickness of Plates
Table 2 - Tolerance on Width of Plates
Table 3 - Tolerance on Length of Plates
Table 4 - Maximum Permissible Deviation From Flatness for Plates