A comparative study between diffraction analysis softwares and measured motions

Abstract

Diffraction analysis is important in the preparation of offshore operations to assess the vessel behaviour which impacts the workability and the integrity of the components to be installed (wind turbine, topside or foundation). The student will familiarize himself with diffraction analysis starting from creating the mesh, then producing the RAO’s and eventually calculating motions and accelerations in different sea states. Description of the sea state as a spectrum beyond the commonly used JONSWAP will be an important part of the understanding of the calculated response. The diffraction analysis will be carried out in two software packages.  The calculated motions will be compared with measured motions. Besides the comparison itself the student is expected to grasp the different aspects of collecting the full scale measurements and the potential use in engineering models and in real-time on board of the vessel. This is Big Data in practice, whereby method and framework are as important as the obtained results