Numerical simulation study on the characteristics of wave induced loads of a 21000TEU ultra-large containership

To investigate the behaviors of wave induced loads of a 21000TEU ultra-large container ships, this study develops a hydroelastic numerical approach that predicts springing responses by coupling a finite-volume flow solver with a multibody dynamics framework. The hydrodynamic force is computed using the open-source CFD package OpenFOAM, while structural deformations are determined with the multibody dynamics code MBDyn. The predictive capability of the method is validated against wave-basin experiments on the springing response of a 21000TEU containership. Subsequently, springing responses under various wave conditions are simulated, and their spatiotemporal characteristics are analyzed using amplitude–frequency response spectra and wavelet-scale spectral techniques. Results indicate that the second-order encounter frequency lies closest to the hull’s wet natural vertical frequency, and that the corresponding vertical bending moment energy peaks at midship, constituting the primary cause of springing. Moreover, interaction between slamming loads and the hull’s natural modes further amplifies the springing response. • A numerical method for predicting springing response is developed based on the coupled finite volume and multi-body dynamics approach. • The time-frequency correlation of springing response is established based on amplitude–frequency response spectrum and wavelet-scale spectrum methods. • The spatial distribution characteries of slamming load in the bow flared area of a 21,000TEU ultra-large containership are revealed.