The design and commissioning of a fully elastic model of a uniform container ship

Experimental hydroelasticity has not followed the rapid evolution of its computational counterpart. Hydroelastic codes have changed significantly in past few decades, moving to more detailed modelling both structure and fluid domain. Physical models ships are, even today, manufactured with a very simplified structural arrangement, usually consisting hollow rectangular cross section. Appropriate depiction internal details ensures that properties relevant antisymmetric vibration are scaled accurately from real ship model. Attempts create continuous, ship-like structures had limited success, as manufacturing constraints did allow for much detail be included. In this investigation, first continuous model arrangement resembling container is designed, produced using 3D printing tested waves. It demonstrated global responses hull regular head waves agree well theory literature, confirming such can represent behaviour ship. Furthermore, it found capable capturing local structure, something would impossible “traditional” hydroelastic models. Finally, capability used investigate vibrations confirmed. The methodology developed here opens whole new world possibilities experiments tailored focus investigation at hand. Moreover, offers powerful tool validation modern state-of-the-art codes. Ultimately, creates next step dynamic structures, which contribute accumulating damage hull. Better understanding these will designers avoid over-engineering use big safety factors account uncertainties their predictions.