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R/V Athena Model (5365) Response in Waves

Developing a computational approach to predicting the response of high-speed craft to both global and local impact loads while operating at sea to allow for increased structural optimization.

Current structural design methods for high-speed naval craft rely heavily on empiricism. Though these methods have been employed reliably for a number of years, it is likely that an unknown level of conservatism exists in the prediction of both global and local impact loads to ensure the vessel’s structural design is robust.

Full Scale R/V Athena

A better physical understanding of the dynamic response of high-speed craft in seas would allow for increased structural optimization. To support this understanding, a computational approach to predicting motions and loads was proposed. The publicly releasable hull form Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD) Model 5365 (R/V Athena) was chosen to facilitate public release of results to various computational teams.

This model test was designed to provide a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) validation data set for semi-planing craft. The CFD predictions were evaluated in their ability to predict calm water performance, as well as motions and loads in regular and irregular waves. The measurements made during testing include:

  1. Resistance, sinkage, and trim measurements for the model in calm water over a range of speeds.
  2. Six degree-of-freedom (DOF) forces and moments acting on the model over a range of speeds and wave conditions.
  3. Model motions and accelerations over a range of speeds and wave conditions.
  4. Impact pressures over a range of locations on the model at different speeds and wave conditions for model validation.

This research focuses on the results from testing in waves.

Measurements of the Athena model operating in calm water, regular, and irregular waves were performed in the Deep Water Basin at NSWCCD using towing Carriage 2. The basin is approximately 1886 feet long, 51 feet wide, and 22 feet deep. Carriage 2 has a maximum towing speed of 20 knots (33.8 ft/s). A pneumatic wavemaker is located at the east end of the basin, with a wave absorbing beach at the west end.

Model 5365 is an 8.25 scale model of the R/V Athena, shown in the accompanying figure. The R/V Athena is a converted PG-84 Asheville-class patrol gunboat, which is operated out of Naval Surface Warfare Center - Panama City Division as a high-speed research vessel. The model, built in 1979, was constructed out of wood and fiberglass. The model has been refurbished over its lifetime. As part of its 2015 refurbishment, the tow-point of the model was moved to align with the center of mass. This translation of the tow-point allows for a more accurate representation of full-scale motions, more comparable measurements to the CFD simulations, and increased model performance in large waves.

This work was performed by Anne Fullerton, Jayson Geiser, Sarah Punzi, Jason Morin, Charles Weil, Don Walker, Evan Lee, Minyee Jiang, Van Lien, and Craig Merrill for the Naval Surface Warfare Center. For more information, download the Technical Support Package (free white paper). NSWC-0005

Topics:
Aerospace Computational fluid dynamics Data Acquisition Defense industry Design processes Marine Vehicles Marine vehicles and equipment Marine vehicles and equipment Scale models Simulation and modeling Vehicles Vehicles
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
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R/V Athena Model (5365) Response in Waves

(reference NSWC-0005) is currently available for download from the TSP library.

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    Aerospace & Defense Technology Magazine

    This article first appeared in the October, 2022 issue of Aerospace & Defense Technology Magazine (Vol. 7 No. 6).

    Read more articles from this issue here.

    Read more articles from the archives here.

    Overview

    The document titled "R/V Athena Model (5365) Response in Waves" is a technical report produced by the Naval Architecture and Engineering Department at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD). Funded by the Office of Naval Research, the report details a study aimed at enhancing the understanding of the dynamic responses of high-speed craft in various sea conditions, which is crucial for structural optimization.

    The report outlines the experimental approach taken to assess the R/V Athena model (NSWCCD Model 5365), which was tested in calm water, regular waves, and irregular waves. Initial tests were conducted in 2014, followed by modifications to the model to enable towing from the longitudinal center of gravity. The modified model was then re-tested under the same conditions to gather comprehensive data on its performance.

    Key sections of the report include a description of the facility and model used for testing, the test conditions, and the measurement methods employed. The document details the various forces and moments acting on the model, as well as its motions, sinkage, trim, and impact pressure during the tests. Data collection methods and test procedures are also thoroughly explained, ensuring transparency and reproducibility of the results.

    The analysis section presents the findings from the tests, including uncertainty analysis estimates and mass properties of the model. Results are discussed in the context of regular and irregular wave conditions, providing insights into the model's behavior and performance in different maritime environments.

    The conclusions drawn from the study emphasize the importance of understanding the dynamic responses of high-speed craft to improve design and operational efficiency. The report also includes recommendations for future research and testing, highlighting areas where further investigation could yield beneficial insights.

    Overall, this document serves as a valuable resource for researchers, engineers, and stakeholders in the field of naval architecture, offering a detailed examination of the R/V Athena model's response in waves and contributing to the broader understanding of high-speed craft performance in maritime conditions.

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