Design and Structural Safety Assessment of a Hinge-Based Hoistable Car Deck for Ro-Ro Vessels

Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) vessels require adaptable deck systems to efficiently accommodate vehicles of varying sizes. Conventional fixed or hydraulically lifted car decks often face challenges related to structural efficiency, maintainability, and limited flexibility. To address these issues, this study proposes a novel hoistable car deck system that incorporates a hinge-based folding mechanism and modular connections. The design enhances maintainability, allows independent adjustment of deck panels without external lifting equipment, and improves adaptability to diverse ship layouts. In addition, the proposed concept was systematically evaluated to verify its structural integrity and serviceability under representative loading conditions, highlighting its compliance with classification society requirements. These results suggest that the hinge-based modular deck provides a promising solution for next-generation Ro-Ro vessels, offering both operational flexibility and improved efficiency while paving the way for practical applications in shipbuilding and retrofitting projects.