The Vibratory Response of High-Speed Catamarans to Slamming Investigated by Hydroelastic Segmented Model Experiments

Hydroelastic segmented model tests have been undertaken in head-seas to investigate the parameters affecting the whipping vibratory response of high-speed catamaran vessels subject to slamming. The first longitudinal modal frequency measured on full-scale INCAT catamaran vessels is used as a basis for predicting the flexural response frequency of the hydroelastic segmented model. Wet and dry vibration tests at zero speed are used to investigate the influence of variations in stiffness and mass of the model on the flexural bending frequency and damping ratio. The flexural frequencies are predicted using a three degree of freedom theoretical model based on measured inertias and predicted added water mass. The effects of forward speed on the whipping response of the segmented model are also investigated as well as the effects of wave frequency and wave height on the flexural response frequency. © 2009: The Royal Institution of Naval Architects.