A Computational Tool for Simulating Hydrodynamic Behavior of Multiple Vessels in a Harbor

The hydrodynamic characteristics of a vessel are affected in restricted waters by the proximity of nearby moving or moored vessels. Interactions can result in large motions, potential collisions and significant loads on nearby structures, banks, and sediments. In Phase 1, we developed and demonstrated feasibility of a PC-Based numerical code for the prediction of the hydrodynamics of multiple vessels. We propose to complete development of this computationally efficient code into a marketable tool to simulate wavevessel-harbor-bank interactions. We will conduct more substantial R & D efforts and include generalized environmental input and boundary conditions. The performance of the code will be improved by implementing more efficient memory and CPU utilization methods and optimized discretization schemes. The code will be further validated with results from the literature and small-scale controlled experiments. This tool will enable users to predict transient loads of moving ships on one another, on moored ships, and on banks and coastal structures, and to derive hydrodynamic coefficients for real-time simulators. User-friendly interfaces will be developed to enhance marketability. Marketing efforts will benefit from our overall effort to market our 3DYNAFS ¿ boundary element code.