Improving the Panel-Free Method for the Prediction of Ship Motions and Wave Induced Loads

Frequency-domain methods are proven efficient and reliable, especially for zero forward speed, in early design stage for the prediction of ship motions and wave-induced wave loads. There are still challenges for ships with forward-speed due to the inaccuracy in the computation of m-terms. In this paper, the panel-free method is further improved to predict motions and wave-induced loads on real ships with forward speeds. A simple algorithm has been developed to re-arrange the control points for Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) surfaces. This method led to reliable and accurate m-term computations and therefore improved ship motion and load predictions. Validation studies have been carried out for a hydroelastic model of a frigate. Computed motions and loads were compared with experimental data.