A design method for planing hulls, considering hydro-elasticity and nonlinear dynamic structural response

ABSTRACT

Typically, the dominant load for the structural design of a planing hull is slamming, while sailing at high speed in head seas. Applied rules assess the strength of the members of the hull by applying beam theory and a static design pressure, which represents the slamming load. Actually, the slamming is a violent fluid structure interaction, where dynamics, hydro-elasticity, and nonlinear structural effects may be important. This paper presents a design method for planing hulls, which considers hydro-elasticity and nonlinear dynamic structural analysis. The method combines rules calculations with analysis of fluid–structure interaction to a practical design procedure. Furthermore, a parametric analysis is applied to provide a database of 225 cases that may be used by designers for a preliminary assessment in a practical range of geometrical parameters and service conditions. Finally, a design example demonstrates a saving of 20% of the bottom plates thickness, relative to design by rules.

KEYWORDS:

• planing boat
• slamming
• hydro-elasticity
• hull structural design

Acknowledgments

This research is supported by the MEYMAD grant program of the state of Israel and by SELA Ltd. of Israel.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research is supported by the MEYMAD grant program [grant number 2020391] of the state of Israel and by SELA Ltd. of Israel.