Does armor work better at full thickness than when divided into layers?
Short answerA single full-thickness plate is stronger locally, but overlapped layers can improve overall hull survivability by eliminating continuous seams.
NotesA full-thickness plate and an assembled hull present different protection problems. One thick plate is locally stronger because dividing it introduces interfaces and weaker individual layers. An assembled belt, however, cannot normally be rolled as one seamless piece. Overlapping thinner plates can prevent joints from lining up through the entire armour system, making the hull harder to penetrate along a continuous seam.