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OptiSWATH (2005-2008)

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Parametric model of a SWATH vessel in the design environment FRIENDSHIP-Framework

 

Integrated design approach for optimized SWATH hull forms

A joint research project of leading German maritime specialists, OptiSWATH was being finalized in 2008 after a run-time of three years. The R & D venture aimed at the development of a practical tool for the design of SWATH (Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull) ships with focus on the integration of established simulation codes and seakeeping analysis.

SWATH vessels are special purpose ships in twin-hull construction with a platform deck well above the waterline. Because the ship volume near the surface of the sea is limited, the vessel is almost decoupled from wave excitation. This leads to outstanding seakeeping behavior and stability. The design of SWATHs, however, demands dedicated design methods and high engineering expertise.

Background Both the lack of design formula for SWATH ships and the industry's need for a practical answer to hydrodynamic analysis and optimization demands in SWATH design made an effective design tool vital.

Each technology leader in their field, four industry players partnered in the R & D venture OptiSWATH:

Results Each bringing in their unique expertise, the project members developed a fully automated software system for the hydrodynamic optimization of SWATH designs, into which CAD and CFD tools for parametric modeling, calm water hydrodynamics and seakeeping analysis were integrated.

Simulation-driven design software FRIENDSHIP-Framework, developed by FRIENDSHIP SYSTEMS, served as geometric modeler and as integration platform for HSVA's potential flow code ν-Shallo-SWATH and for MTG's seakeeping analysis tool SEDOS.

The FRIENDSHIP-Framework was coupling and control  platform. It provided the graphical user interface (GUI), techniques for form development and optimization as well as data management strategies. Accommodating the software to the project, controlers for SEDOS and ν-Shallo-SWATH were developed, the GUI was adapted and the Constraint Management technology was further defined.

By view of the project partners, the FRIENDSHIP-Framework was the "heart" of OptiSWATH.

OptiSWATH delivered a tool which is suitable for all types of SWATH vessels as well as for other ship types.

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Integration scheme of OptiSWATH. The then software architecture of the FRIENDSHIP-Framework executed different modules (FS-Modeler).

Project tasks Typically, SWATH customers impose stringent requirements on the seakeeping performance, but also expect low power consumption even when traveling at higher speeds, for which a reduced weight is needed.

OptiSWATH thus had to meet ambitious key tasks:

  • Developing an innovative concept for optimizing vessel design and weight with a
  • Novel combination of displacement and speed (20kn)

 Work steps OptiSWATH covered mainly four aspects:

  1.  Parametric hull development
  2. Analysis of calm water performance
  3. Analysis of seakeeping behavior
  4. Tool integration into the FRIENDSHIP-Framework and optimization process

These tasks were tackled in three phases: Firstly, the tools were "sharpened" to make them suitable for the project. Software was adapted to the requirements of SWATH vessels, initial parametric models were designed. Secondly, the analysis tools were integrated into the FRIENDSHIP-Framework. Thirdly, tests and validation were undertaken. At the end of each phase, all partners participated in trainings and workshops to share, exercise and discuss the findings.  

Perspective The newly developed design and optimization system OptiSWATH has been successfully utilized for a number of academic and commercial projects since its launch. With first results of the running project, NSWE  won the contract for building two offshore patrol SWATHs for the German customs office in late 2006. With the tools developed in OptiSWATH, the hull form of the ships was developed, optimized for resistance and analyzed for seakeeping. After towing-tank tests of the hull form and further optimization, the final form was chosen for construction. Successfully delivered, "Helgoland" has  been in operation since August 2009, her sister ship "Borkum" since February 2010.

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Through OptiSWATH, project partner Nordseewerke gained the order to built two SWATH vessels for the German customs office. Pictured is 50m cruiser "Helgoland" © TKMS Blohm + Voss Nordseewerke GmbH

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