Evaluation of finite element analysis as a tool to predict sea loads with the aid of trials data

The current study evaluates the using of finite element modelling as a tool to predict sea loads for high-speed wave piercing catamarans based on sea trials data. The current sea trials data is for HSV-2 Swift; a 98 meter Incat Seaframe designed by Revolution Design and configured to U.S. Navy specification. The ship was instrumented with a system of sensors and data acquisition system to monitor structural response, ship motions, performance, and sea conditions. A detailed finite element model of a similar vessel was modified to represent the existing ship configuration. A new methodology is presented to investigate sea loads during trials, and the results from the FE analysis are compared to trials data. It was found that a direct comparison of strain time histories of trial and finite element analysis, was hard to achieve. However, the FE RMS strains are in good agreement with trials RMS strains and approached a correlation coefficient of 95.5% for perfect heads seas condition and 80.2% for head seas with a slight loading asymmetry.