Non-linear wave loads and ship responses by a time-domain strip theory

A non-linear time-domain strip theory for vertical wave loads and ship responses is presented. The theory is generalized from a rigorous linear time-domain strip theory representation. The hydrodynamic memory effect due to the free surface is approximated by a higher order differential equation. Based on this time-domain strip theory, an efficient non-linear hydroelastic method of wave- and slamming-induced vertical motions and structural responses of ships is developed, where the structure is represented as a Timoshenko beam. Numerical calculations are presented for the S175 Containership and are systematically compared with the experimental results given by Watanabe et al. (1989, J. Soc. Naval Architects Japan, 166) and O’Dea et al. (1992, Proc. 19th Symp. on Naval Hydrodynamics). The agreement between the present predictions and the experiments is very encouraging.