Numerical Evaluation of Ship Turning Performance in Regular and Irregular Waves

Abstract

In this study, ship's maneuvering performance in waves is evaluated using numerical computation. To this end, three degrees-of-freedom (3DOF) planar motions are considered, and modular-type maneuvering model (maneuvering modeling group model (MMG model)) is applied. As external force of the equation of motion, hull force, propulsion force, rudder force, and wave drift force are adopted. In order to calculate wave drift force, seakeeping program which is based on a higher-order Rankine panel method is used by considering wave frequency, wave heading, ship's forward speed, and ship's lateral speed. This wave drift force is pre-calculated, made into database, and used in time domain simulation. The developed simulation program is validated by comparing the computation results of a turning test in regular waves with experimental data. Using this program, turning performance in irregular waves is evaluated and sensitivities for time signal of wave elevation are investigated. Through this study, it is confirmed that the simplified method based on the MMG model including wave drift force can provide good agreement with experimental data in a practical point of view. It can be observed that the simulation results considering the lateral speed show better agreement with the experimental data than those without consideration. In the case of irregular wave condition, the turning performance can be affected by wave random phases. When the ship encounters the beam sea during the turning operation, the wave elevations at that time play an essential role in the change of ship speed and turning trajectory.