New Motion Analysis Software

Greater understanding of a ship's behaviour at sea increases its performance and safety. This has been the motivation behind the US$4 million invested by Det Norske Veritas, the Oslo-based classification society, in research, development and validation work leading to an important new hydrodynamic software tool now offered as part of the Nauticus Hull suite. This very useful software - claimed to be unique - allows accurate prediction of a ship's responses in all six degrees of freedom.

Surge, sway, heave, roll, pitch, and yaw are calculated for all ship types, mono-hull or multi-hull, at any given speed or wave heading. Pressure loads on the wet surface of a hull and inertia loads throughout the vessel can be automatically transferred to the finite-element programs of Nauticus Hull for subsequent structural analysis, fatigue, or buckling calculations.

The classification society expects that this new software, Nauticus Hull for Wave Analysis, will be seen as a valuable tool for use during all phases of a vessel's life, since the hull-form can be optimised, with focus on sea- keeping capabilities and minimum wave resistance. Hydrodynamic loads calculated by the programs can be used as a basis for structural design and class approval, and the results can provide guidance to a master at sea in selecting optimum speed and heading for safe ship operation.