SHIP OPERABILITY PREDICTED FROM LONG TERM DIRECTIONAL WAVE RECORDS

Ship operability assessments have traditionally been made using wind and wave data derived from wave atlases, however there are several drawbacks, including the fact that they are usually based on observation rather than measurement, and that spreading or directional effects are lost – such as the separation of sea and swell directions. An alternative approach is demonstrated here, instead of the data summarised in the wave atlas scatter diagram, long term hourly historical wave buoy data may be used. Detailed data sets, including directional wave spectra, are available for a number of specific locations. Direct use of many years’ hourly wave data involves significant computational effort, but results may be achieved within a reasonable time. The technique is demonstrated with the examples of four naval ships and two sites. Analysis considered two main themes, the differences in the ship performance calculated when (a) using wave buoy data rather than wave atlas data for the same sea area and (b) using the most complex available model of the ocean waves compared with the simplified wave descriptions in common use. For (a) the wave buoy data both looked rather different than the wave buoy data for the same nominal area, and produced rather different ship performance results. For (b) it was shown that there were also significant differences between the operability calculated for the four different ships at one of the sites. The implications for operability assessment in the ship procurement process are briefly discussed.

Effects of Hull Geometry and Tightness of Turns on Ship Maneuverability: An OSIS-IHI Simulation

OSIS-IHI (Ocean Structure Interaction Simulator – Ice-Hull Interaction) is a ship maneuvering in ice modeling software developed at OCRE for a marine simulator and ship performance assessment applications. A series of OSIS-IHI simulations is conducted to explain the maneuvering behavior observed of the USCGC Polar Icebreaker indicative design previously tested at the centre. The simulation is conducted with the original and a modified version of the USCGC Icebreaker Healy. The Icebreaker USCGC Healy was equipped with doublescrew conventional propellers. The hull geometry of the OSIS-Healy model is appropriately modified to mimic the hull form of two indicated design versions in question and its propulsion units replaced by twin pods prior to studying its maneuverability in order to shed light on the apparently poor maneuvering performance of the podded version of the indicative design. The modified version extends the mid-body leaving just 7.5 % of hull that constitutes the stern section. It is hypothesized that the extended mid-section cost large resisting moment against turning due to the increase of ice breaking at the aft shoulder and mid-body. This hypothesis is validated numerically to explain the poor maneuverability exhibited by the extended mid-body design, based on consideration of ice-hull interaction geometry and basic mechanics of ice breaking as well as existing anecdotal test evidences. This paper presents result of the simulation to explore effects of hull geometry and tightness of turns on ship maneuverability. Important insights gained are summarized and recommendation for further work given.

Numerical Simulation of Model Test in Pre-Sawn Ice by CFD-DEM Coupled Method

Arctic shipping activities have been steadily increased due to global warming and economic benefit. As a result, there are more demands to estimate the ship performance in various ice conditions at the early design stage. In this paper, a CFD-DEM coupled approach was applied to estimate the ice resistance and broken ice behavior around the hull including hydrodynamic interactions. For the simulation, the moving ship in the stationary ice field was implemented using the overset grid technique. The estimated ice resistance as well as ice behaviors around the hull from the simulations were compared with model test results and underwater videos of the same vessel in a similar ice condition. The results demonstrated good agreement with model test measurements and further improvement for actual application was discussed in the paper.

Assessment of Numerical Modeling Tools for the Prediction of Ship Performance in Ice

This paper provides a general review of available models used in the NRC-OCRE (National Research Council – Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering) that could be used to support the assessment of a ship’s performance in ice conditions. The models were separated into three main categories: empirical, numerical and real-time, and reviewed in terms of key strengths and weaknesses. A general overview of the modelling categories and specific models within each category is given. Within each modelling category, specific models were compared to outline the key features of both the independent models and the modelling category itself. A representative model within each category and sub-category was selected and used to present the output for a given scenario. This enabled a demonstration of output capabilities for each modelling category. It also provides the reader with additional information pertaining to the input requirements and validation for the selected models. A discussion of the integration of an ice loading model into an existing ship simulation framework is included. A specific case was reviewed in which a successful integration had occurred and was documented. This allowed for demonstration of a process that could be followed for updating one’s numerical modelling capabilities. Based on this review, guidance was provided in terms of selecting a numerical tool to extend current ship performance modelling capabilities to consider ice operations. Each modelling category and sub-category has a unique set of advantages and disadvantages. These should be considered in detail to ensure that the numerical model(s) selected are optimal in terms of their ability to assess desired scenarios and interface with existing software.