Large-amplitude motion responses of a Ro–Ro ship to regular oblique waves in intact and damaged conditions

This article presents a nonlinear time-domain simulation method for the prediction of large-amplitude motions of a Ro–Ro ship in regular oblique waves in an intact and a damaged condition. Numerical computations and model tests have been carried out to investigate the dynamic motion responses of Ro–Ro ship Dextra to various wave amplitudes at three different wave headings. The results of numerical and experimental investigations for stern quartering waves are reviewed. Comparisons between predictions and measurements show good agreement except in the roll-resonant region. Nonlinear effects are significant in horizontal modes of motion, and resonant roll motion, and there is strong coupling between all modes of motion in the roll-resonant region for large-amplitude responses. On the other hand, the time-domain simulation technique suffers from numerical drift in horizontal modes of motion as wave amplitude increases. This is due to nonlinear equations of motion and the lack of a restoring force and moment in horizontal motion. Received: April 30, 2002 / Accepted: August 9, 2002 Acknowledgments. II Programme of the European Community Commission under contract No. BRPR-CT97-0513. Address correspondence to: H.S. Chan (hoi-sang.chan@ncl.ac.uk)