Probability of Sea Condition for Ship Strength, Stability, and Motion Studies

Abstract

Modeling and simulation continues to be an important tool for determining the response of sea-going vessels to wind and waves. To provide appropriate forcing functions to the models, it is important to have environmental data of sufficient fidelity to facilitate an assessment of platform response, which is as accurate as possible within the practical constraints of time and resources. Fortunately, there are a variety of sources of good wave data, including the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This study examines the wave data in the context of simulation codes for assessing characteristics of ocean craft response. It also looks at some practical considerations to limit the scope of simulations. The work is strongly influenced by modeling and simulation of naval surface ships, looking for extreme behaviors, but many of the issues discussed are broadly applicable to other applications. Copyright 2021 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, Department of National Defence