Lagrangian simulations of ship-wave interactions in rough seas

A three-dimensional ship motion model was developed using the moving particle semi-implicit (MPS) method to calculate a ship motion under high wave height conditions where shipping water occurs. The ship's hull was assumed to be a rigid body, and the interaction between the rigid body and fluid was simulated on the basis of weak coupling. A numerical wave tank was also developed to calculate a ship motion with minimum calculation costs. The numerical wave tank was able to create a series of waves and express the ship's relative forward speed. Using the developed ship motion model and the numerical wave tank, towing tests were numerically performed for five typical wave conditions. The calculated ship motions were compared with the experimental results. As a result, the nonlinear effect of shipping water was successfully simulated by the MPS method, although there quantitative differences between the calculated and experimental results still remained. This study shows the potential of the MPS method as a new simulation tool for calculating a ship motion in high wave height conditions. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.