Hydroelastic Response of a Segmented Frigate Model

Previous work by DSTO has highlighted potential limits of applicability for numerical seakeeping and wave-induced global loading computer codes based on rigid body equations of motion. In collaboration with the AMC, a hydroelastic frigate model with six segments has been designed, constructed and tested in a variety of regular wave conditions. The results of these experiments can be compared to the results of a planned numerical analysis using rigid body computer codes to investigate their bounds of application. This paper covers the hydroelastic model experiments and initial stages of the numerical replication of the experiments.