Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Wave-Induced Loads on a Deep-V Catamaran in Regular Waves

This paper presents the results of towing tank tests carried out to predict the wave loads in regular wave conditions on a Deep-V hull form catamaran model. The experiments were carried out at the Newcastle University towing tank using a segmented model of the university’s new research vessel, “The Princess Royal”. The vessel is a twin hull with a Deep-V shape cross-section. The model, divided into two parts at the cross-deck level, was fitted with a 5-axis load cell at the position of the vessel’s centre of gravity in order to measure the motions response and wave loads due to the encountered waves. The longitudinal, side and vertical forces, along with the prying and yaw splitting moments were measured. The results obtained were further compared with those from numerical predictions carried out using a 3D panel method code based on potential flow theory that uses Green’s Function with the forward speed correction in the frequency domain. The results highlight reasonable correlations between the measurements and the predictions as well as the need for a proper understanding of the response of the multihull vessels to the wave-induced loads due to the non-linearity that have been observed in the experimental measurements of wave loads.