Numerical Prediction of Impact-Related Wave Loads on Ships

We present a numerical procedure to predict impact-related wave-induced (slamming) loads on ships. The procedure was applied to predict slamming loads on two ships that feature a flared bow with a pronounced bulb, hull shapes typical of modern offshore supply vessels. The procedure used a chain of seakeeping codes. First, a linear Green function panel code computed ship responses in unit amplitude regular waves. Wave frequency and wave heading were systematically varied to cover all possible combinations likely to cause slamming. Regular design waves were selected on the basis of maximum magnitudes of relative normal velocity between ship critical areas and wave, averaged over the critical areas. Second, a nonlinear strip theory seakeeping code determined ship motions under design wave conditions, thereby accounting for the ship’s forward speed, the swell-up of water in finite amplitude waves, as well as the ship’s wake that influences the wave elevation around the ship. Third, these nonlinearly computed ship motions constituted part of the input for a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations (RANSE) code that was used to obtain slamming loads. Favourable comparison with available model test data validated the procedure and demonstrated its capability to predict slamming loads suitable for design of ship structures.