Virtual Prototyping and Simulation of Multibody Marine Operations Using Web-Based Technologies

Abstract

This paper focuses on virtual prototyping and simulation of marine operations based on web technologies. The ship is represented as a digital object, which can be used to perform different types of analyses and simulations. The presented simulations are: motion of a single hull and of multiple hulls in regular waves calculated with closed-form expressions, induced pendulum motion response to a lifted load, and motion of a barge with initial movements in still water calculated with equations of motion. The simulations are developed as web applications in JavaScript and HTML, with graphical user interfaces and 3D renders of the operations. Relevant parameters of the simulations such as wave characteristics and design dimensions are linked to interactive dashboards, allowing the user to modify them and visualize the results in real-time. The applications are lightweight enough to be executed locally in the web browser of most modern devices. The work employs an open source approach, relying most notably on the Vessel.js library. This aims to foster reuse of models and collaboration with external contributors.

An open-source library for hydrodynamic simulation of marine structures

“…The library can calculate the weights (considering the lightweight and the filling ratio of the tanks) and, therefore, the overall displacement of the ship. Also, draft, hydrostatic, stability coefficients, and small angles of trim can be calculated as part of the state of the ship [10].…”

A framework for rapid virtual prototyping: a case study with the Gunnerus research vessel

“…To this respect, mathematical models of ships are the foundation of such an enterprise. Open source libraries (Fossen and Perez 2004;Gaspar 2018;Fonseca et al 2019) are useful toolboxes, with promising visualization, but do not focus on validating models. The current state-of-the-art for VP of maritime systems is the co-simulation Function Mockup Interface (FMI), which allows the co-simulation of loosely coupled sub-systems, thereby connecting domainspecific simulations, and load-balancing the computing intensive simulations.…”