Simple Tool for Prediction of Green Water and Bow Flare Slamming on FPSO

A practical method for prediction of green water and wave impact on FPSO’s in steep irregular waves is described. The relative wave elevation and kinematics are found from combining ship motions, wave diffraction and nonlinear irregular waves. Water heights on deck and related velocities are estimated by simple analytical formulas originally derived from dam-breaking theory but modified in this work to take into account a non-zero water velocity input and the effects from a dynamic and finite wave-determined water reservoir. A bulwark is also included. Deckhouse slamming and bow flare slamming loads are computed by simple formulas from the local velocities and, in the latter case, also the relative angle between the water surface and the flare. Verification against more advanced models and to model test data show promising results. The method is being implemented into a simple research-type software tool.© 2009 ASME