Split TSHD hydrostatic particulars calculation for cargo discharge phase using polynomial RBF

Abstract

Split Trailing Suction Hopper Dredgers (TSHD) are special type of working ships, whose hulls open to discharge cargo to certain unloading positions while being at sea. Although they have variable hull geometry, their hydrostatic and stability characteristics are usually calculated for unchanged initial hull geometry loading conditions only, and such calculations are supported by classification society stability regulations for that ship type. Nevertheless, in this study, we show that hydrostatic particulars for intermediate loading conditions of variable ship geometry can be calculated by using analytical solutions of basic hydrostatic integrals for arbitrary list angles, obtained for polynomial radial basis function description of ship geometry. The calculations will be performed for symmetric hopper opening during cargo discharge procedure, thus covering all Split TSHD regular unloading conditions, without examination of ship hull opening failure modes. Thus, all ship hydrostatic properties will be pre-calculated analytically and prepared for further stability calculations, as opposed to the usual numerical calculations for initial geometry and even keel only, as currently used in naval architecture design.