3-DOF motion response analysis of damaged ships in quartering waves

With the increasing significance of offshore operations and the rising number of vessels operating in challenging marine environments, understanding the dynamic character of damaged ships is crucial to ensuring their safety and performance. This study investigates the motion behavior of a damaged DTMB 5415 vessel in quartering waves. The DTMB 5415 is a widely recognized benchmark model for naval hydrodynamic research, representing a modern naval combatant with a slender hull and advanced seakeeping characteristics. The study employs the volume of fluid (VOF) free-surface technique and an overset mesh strategy to solve the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations and accurately simulate ship-wave interactions. Wave generation and elimination are based on Stokes' fifth-order wave theory. A benchmarking study is conducted to validate the adopted method for coupled roll, pitch, and heave motions, including wave generation, as well as the response amplitude operators (RAOs) of both intact and damaged ships. The study further analyzes the roll motion and roll moment in quartering waves, comparing them with those in beam waves. Results indicate notable differences in the three-degree-of-freedom (3-DOF) motion responses under various wave conditions, with the discussions exploring the underlying causes of these differences. Additionally, the flooding volume and motion behavior of the damaged compartment are examined under different wave directions. The findings are expected to provide valuable insights into the complex dynamic behavior of damaged ships under oblique wave conditions, enhancing our understanding of ship stability and capsizing risks, and offering guidance for improving emergency response and damage control strategies.