Vertical support members used to uphold bulkheads are referred to as what?

Vertical support members that are used to uphold bulkheads are referred to as stiffeners. In marine structures, stiffeners are essential components that provide additional strength and rigidity to the bulkheads, which are the walls that divide the interior compartments of a vessel.

Stiffeners help to prevent deformation and buckling under various loads, such as water pressure and cargo weight, ensuring the overall structural integrity of the vessel. They can take different shapes, such as angles or channels, and are strategically placed to enhance the strength of the bulkheads at critical points.

The other terms, while connected to structural components, do not specifically describe the vertical support members for bulkheads. Strakes refer to longitudinal members on a ship's hull that help with hydrodynamics and stability. Pillars generally denote upright posts in construction but are not the term used in a marine context for bulkhead support. Spars refer to long poles used in the sailing rig of a ship, primarily for supporting sails, rather than structural support for bulkheads.