🔍 Key Concepts

• MODU (Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit) deck framing layout • Difference between transverse and longitudinal structural members • Purpose of deck beams in supporting deck plating

💭 Think About

• On a typical ship or MODU, what is the main direction of the hull/ship, and which members usually run parallel to that versus across it? • Deck beams support the deck plating between the sides of the hull. In which direction would they run to best span from side to side? • Think about how you would place floor joists in a building to support a flat floor — how does that analogy help here?

✅ Before You Answer

• Be clear on the meaning of transversely (athwartship, side to side) vs longitudinally (fore‑and‑aft) • Recall that deck beams are primary supports under the deck plating, not the long fore‑and‑aft girders • Eliminate any options that clearly do not describe a realistic direction for structural members in a horizontal deck (e.g., vertically).