EUREC⁴A's <i>Maria S. Merian</i> ship-based cloud and micro rain radar observations of clouds and precipitation

As part of the EUREC4A field campaign, the research vessel Maria S. Merian probed an oceanic region between 6 to 13.8∘ N and 51 to 60∘ W for approximately 32 d. Trade wind cumulus clouds were sampled in the trade wind alley region east of Barbados as well as in the transition region between the trades and the intertropical convergence zone, where the ship crossed some mesoscale oceanic eddies. We collected continuous observations of cloud and precipitation profiles at unprecedented vertical resolution (7–10 m in the first 3000 m) and high temporal resolution (1–3 s) using a W-band radar and micro rain radar (MRR), installed on an active stabilization platform to reduce the impact of ship motions on the observations. The paper describes the ship motion correction algorithm applied to the Doppler observations to extract corrected hydrometeor vertical velocities and the algorithm created to filter interference patterns in the MRR observations. Radar reflectivity, mean Doppler velocity, spectral width and skewness for W-band and reflectivity, mean Doppler velocity, and rain rate for MRR are shown for a case study to demonstrate the potential of the high resolution adopted. As non-standard analysis, we also retrieved and provided liquid water path (LWP) from the 89 GHz passive channel available on the W-band radar system. All datasets and hourly and daily quicklooks are publically available, and DOIs can be found in the data availability section of this publication. Data can be accessed and basic variables can be plotted online via the intake catalog of the online book “How to EUREC4A”.

Simulation Modeling of a Ship Propulsion System in Wavesfor Control Purposes

The article deals with a simulation approach to the representation of the ship motions in waves, interacting with the propulsion system behavior (diesel engine and propeller). The final goal is the development of a simulator, as complete as possible, that allows the analysis of the main engine thermodynamics in different sea conditions, also in the unfavorable event of dynamic instability of the hull, and the correct management of the other propulsion components. This latter aspect is particularly interesting in some of the last new energy solutions for decarbonization of ships, concerning, for example, auxiliary electric motors, powered by batteries, to support the traditional diesel-mechanical propulsion (especially in heavy weather conditions). From this point of view, a proper analysis of the engine dynamic performance, affected by particular sea states, is fundamental for a smart management and control of shaft generators/auxiliary electric motors, batteries, etc. To this end, the work presents and highlights the main features of a ship simulator, suitable for the study of the new propulsion solutions that are emerging in maritime transport. Some representative results will point out the complex non-linear behavior of the propulsion plant in waves. Moreover, a parametric roll scenario will be investigated, in order to highlight the capability of the conceived simulator in modeling the effects of the dynamic instability of the hull on the propulsion plant.

Prediction of Flooded Compartment Damage Locations in Ships by Using Spectrum Analysis of Ship Motions in Waves

Considering the nature of marine accidents, even a single accident can result in significant damage to the environment and property, as well as loss of life. Therefore, the initial response should be rapid and accurate, and various decision support systems have been developed to achieve this. Research on simulating progressive flooding on board immediately after an accident is being actively conducted, but this requires high levels of computing power. In this study, a methodology for converting simulated ship motion data into a ship motion database is presented. The model of a training ship from the Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology and KRISO in-house code SMTP was used for ship motion computations. The short-time Fourier transform was used to convert time-series motion data into a spectrogram motion database. A methodology for deriving a predicted location of the damage center is presented. The candidate locations of the damage centers were obtained by comparing the root mean square error values of the ship motion database from the simulation and real-time ship motion data. Finally, a probability function was suggested to confirm the predicted location of the damage center. Using 100 randomly selected test cases, our method showed 95% accuracy.

RANS Prediction of Wave-Induced Ship Motions, and Steady Wave Forces and Moments in Regular Waves

The wave-induced motions, and steady wave forces and moments for the oil tanker KVLCC2 in regular head and oblique waves are numerically predicted by using the expanded RANS solver based on OpenFOAM. New modules of wave boundary condition are programed into OpenFOAM for this purpose. In the present consideration, the steady wave forces and moments include not only the contribution of hydrodynamic effects but also the contribution of the inertial effects due to wave-induced ship motions. The computed results show that the contribution of the inertial effects due to heave and pitch in head waves is non-negligible when wave-induced motions are of large amplitude, for example, in long waves. The influence of wave amplitude on added resistance in head waves is also analyzed. The dimensionless added resistance becomes smaller with the increasing wave amplitude, indicating that added resistance is not proportional to the square of wave amplitude. However, wave amplitude seems not to affect the heave and pitch RAOs significantly. The steady wave surge force, sway force and yaw moment for the KVLCC2 with zero speed in oblique waves are computed as well. The present RANS results are compared with available experimental data, and very good agreements are found between them.

SHIP MOTIONS DURING REPLENISHMENT AT SEA OPERATIONS IN HEAD SEAS

During replenishment at sea operations the interaction between the two vessels travelling side by side can cause significant motions in the smaller vessel and affect the relative separation between their replenishment points. A study into these motions has been conducted including theoretical predictions and model experiments. The model tests investigated the influence of supply ship displacement and longitudinal separation on the ships’ motions. The data obtained from the experimental study has been used to validate a theoretical ship motion prediction method based on a 3-D zero-speed Green function with a forward speed correction in the frequency domain. The results were also used to estimate the expected extreme roll angle of the receiving vessel, and the relative motion between the vessels, during replenishment at sea operations in a typical irregular seaway. A significant increase in the frigate’s roll response was found to occur with an increase of the supply ship displacement, whilst a reduction in motion for the receiving vessel resulted from an increase in longitudinal separation between the vessels. It is proposed that to determine the optimal vessel separation it is vital that the motions of the vessels are not considered in isolation and all motions need to be considered for both vessels simultaneously.

NUMERICAL PREDICTION OF VERTICAL SHIP MOTIONS AND ADDED RESISTANCE

Along with the development of computer technology, the capability of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to conduct ‘virtual computer experiments’ has increased. CFD tools have become the most important tools for researchers to deal with several complex problems. In this study, the viscous approach called URANS (Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes) which has a fully non-linear base has been used to solve the vertical ship motions and added resistance problems in head waves. In the solution strategy, the FVM (Finite Volume Method) is used that enables numerical discretization. The ship model DTMB 5512 has been chosen for a series of computational studies at Fn=0.41 representing a high speed case. Firstly, by using CFD tools the TF (Transfer Function) graphs for the coupled heave- pitch motions in deep water have been generated and then comparisons have been made with IIHR (Iowa Institute of Hydraulic Research) experimental results and ordinary strip theory outputs. In the latter step, TF graphs of added resistance for deep water have been generated by using CFD and comparisons have been made only with strip theory.

NUMERICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF THE PARAMETRIC ROLLING OF A FISHING VESSEL IN REGULAR HEAD WAVES

The dynamic behaviour of a fishing vessel in waves is studied in order to reveal its parametric rolling characteristics. This paper presents experimental and numerical results in longitudinal regular waves. The experimental results are compared against the results of a time-domain non-linear strip theory model of ship motions in six degrees-of-freedom. These results contribute to the validation of the parametric rolling prediction method, so that it can be used as an assessment tool to evaluate both the susceptibility and severity of occurrence of parametric rolling at the early design stage of these types of vessels.

SUPERIOR SEAWORTHINESS OF A RESONANCE-FREE FAST OCEANGOING SWATH

The speed reduction, additional resistance or slamming caused by the large amplitude ship motions, should be completely restricted for a large fast oceangoing ship because of the strict time-punctuality and the high value of the cargo. A “Resonance-Free SWATH (RFS)”, which has negative restoring moments due to the extremely small water plane area, is introduced to minimize the motion responses. A motion control system using small fins is necessary for the RFS, which has no stability during high speed cruising. Theoretical estimations and experiments to search for the optimum values of PD control gains have been performed. Unsteady characteristics of fin-generated lift such as the time lag and the interaction among the fins and lower hulls have been measured and they are taken into account in the motion equations. Then, experiments using the RFS model with controlling fins have been carried out to validate the theoretical estimation for the motion responses of the RFS in waves. The theoretical and experimental results agree well with each other. The motion responses of the RFS in regular and irregular head waves are compared with those of other hull forms, such as a mono-hull, an ordinary SWATH and a trimaran. The clear advantage of the RFS regarding the seaworthiness has been found. In summary, the heave motion response of the RFS is reduced to 1/60 and the pitch motion becomes1/8, compared with those of the existing mono-hull ship.

AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF SHIP MOTIONS DURING REPLENISHMENT AT SEA OPERATIONS BETWEEN A SUPPLY VESSEL AND A LANDING HELICOPTER DOCK

Hydrodynamic interactions during Replenishment at Sea (RAS) operations can lead to large ship motions and make it difficult for vessels to maintain station during the operation. A research program has been established which aims to validate numerical seakeeping tools to enable the development of enhanced operator guidance for RAS. This paper presents analysis of the first phase of scale model experiments and focuses on the influence that both the lateral and longitudinal separations between two vessels have on the interactions during RAS. The experiments are conducted in regular head seas on a Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) and a Supply Vessel (SV) in intermediate water depth. The SV is shorter than the LHD by approximately 17%, but due to its larger block coefficient, it displaces almost 16% more than the LHD. Generally, the motions of the SV were larger than the LHD. It was found that hydrodynamic interactions can lead to large SV roll motions in head seas. Directions for future work are provided.

NON LINEAR ANALYSIS OF SHIP MOTIONS AND LOADS IN LARGE AMPLITUDE WAVES

A non linear time domain formulation for ship motions and wave loads is presented and applied to the S175 containership. The paper describes the mathematical formulations and assumptions, with particular attention to the calculation of the hydrodynamic force in the time domain. In this formulation all the forces involved are non linear and time dependent. Hydrodynamic forces are calculated in the frequency domain and related to the time domain solution for each time step. Restoring and exciting forces are evaluated directly in time domain in a way of the hull wetted surface. The results are compared with linear strip theory and linear three dimensional Green function frequency domain seakeeping methodologies with the intent of validation. The comparison shows a satisfactory agreement in the range of small amplitude motions. A first approach to large amplitude motion analysis displays the importance of incorporating the non linear behaviour of motions and loads in the solution of the seakeeping problem.