Wave loads and flexible fluid-structure interactions: current developments and future directions

Abstract

The function of a Classification Society includes the setting of standards for the design, construction and maintenance of ship hulls to ensure adequate safety throughout their service life. Fundamental to this is the determination of the design loads to support the prescriptive Rule requirements and for application in direct calculations. The current design philosophy for the prediction of motions and wave-induced loads is driven by first-principles calculation procedures based on well-proven applications such as ship motion prediction programs. In recent years, the software and computer technology available to predict design loads has improved dramatically. With the stepwise increase in ship size and complexity it is necessary to utilise the latest technologies to assess the design loads on new ship designs. This paper discusses some of the recent experiences of Lloyd's Register with regard to the current state of the art in the assessment of design loads and structural responses by reviewing recent work on the effects of flexible fluid-structure interaction for hull girder and also for sloshing applications. The paper also discusses the Lloyd's Register strategic research programme on hydrodynamics, involving the use of state-of-the-art technologies for the solution of ship dynamic response problems.