Informing Channel Design Through Ship Simulation and Numerical Modeling

Abstract:

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is responsible for the design and maintenance of commercially navigated federal waterways both in rivers and coastal ports. Since the 1980s the USACE Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) has used ship simulation as an important tool to study proposed modifications and improvements to the design of various federal channels. USACE-ERDC employs unique ship simulation methods where scientifically validated hydrodynamic forcings –current fields, water levels, and waves– are input to the simulator. These forcings are the results of numerical modeling performed in-house subject matter experts. USACE-ERDC continues to evolve its methods in support of safe and efficient channel design. Coupled with the hydrodynamic forces, USACE-ERDC is able to accurately represent a variety of vessel responses in the six degrees of freedom, including bank effect, squat, and ship-to-ship interaction. USACE-ERDC has used these ship simulation methods to study and inform proposed design improvements in nearly every port in the United States including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Two recent projects include the Mobile Harbor and Nome, AK. This presentation will focus on the ship simulation methods USACE-ERDC uses and their application in Mobile and Nome.