Simulation based calculation of ship motions in extreme seas with a body-exact strip theory approach

For all design phases of naval vessels, the fidelity of seakeeping calculations in extreme seas is open to discussion due to the inadequacy of the linear theory of ship motions. Currently the computer-generated time series of ship responses and wave height (the real time computer experiments) are utilized to calculate the distribution of the vertical distortion, shear force and bending moment by means of “ship hydroelasticity theory”. Inspired by these studies a simulation based calculation of symmetric ship motions is performed in long crested irregular head seas, in addition with a body-exact strip theory approach. The scope of this study is limited to the ship motions only. Verification is achieved utilizing the spectral analysis procedure which contains the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and the smoothing algorithms. The results are compared with the experimental data, and the ANSYS AQWA software results. The simulation results provide adequate data for the extreme responses. This state-of-the-art method in addition with a “body-exact strip theory approach” ensures the consistent assessment of the seakeeping performance in extreme sea condition. As a result, it is evaluated that this calculation method can be used in the design stages of naval platforms.