On the Accuracy of an Analytical Solution to Model Wave-Induced Loads on an Underwater Vehicle in Real-Time

Abstract

The accuracy of an existing analytical solution for modeling the linear, first-order wave-induced loads on a fully submerged body is investigated. The accuracy is assessed for the situation where the underlying theoretical assumptions are met, and the sensitivity of the accuracy to these assumptions is also explored. The accuracy was quantified by comparing the analytical solutions to experimental measurements from a tow tank with wave generation capability. The assessment showed that when all the assumptions are met, the heave and surge forces are predicted quite accurately but the pitch moment is overpredicted. The results also showed that the deeply submerged assumption is met as long as the body does not cause a disruption of the passing wave on the free surface. The slenderness and end face curvature assumptions are also quite relaxed and the curvature assumption only affects the pitch moment accuracy. The most stringent assumption appears to be the body-of-revolution assumption which can cause all three loads to be predicted poorly. The analytical solution appears to be accurate over a large parameter space and could be incorporated as a wave disturbance model into a virtual environment used to develop control and autonomy of unmanned underwater vehicles.