MODULE DESCRIPTOR
MECHGN01 – Ship Dynamics
Code:
Alt. Codes(s)
Title:
Level:
UCL Credits/ECTS:
Start:
End:
Taught by:
MECHGN01
MECHM012, MECH4012 (until 2012)
Ship Dynamics
MSc
30 credits
September
March
Prof G Thomas (Module Coordinator)
Other Staff: Prof Wu, Dr N Bradbeer, M Tucker (External Lecturer) and
Prof S Bishop (Maths Dept)
Brief
Description
An advanced course in ship dynamics covering the analysis methods available for
describing wave loading as both regular and irregular processes, the response of ships
and offshore structures to waves (sea keeping) and methods to analyse the structural
dynamics of marine vehicles.
Pre-requisites
Competence:As exemplified by a mechanical, civil, aeronautical or other “mechanical type”
engineering degree with strong structures element continued throughout.
Co-requisites
Availability
Where a candidate has demonstrated the appropriate intellectual capability but is deemed
not to have an appropriate background in “mechanical” engineering (i.e. those with typically
an electrical engineering degree obtained at a high level (2:1 or 1st class honours)) the prerequisite units can form part of a pre-qualifying year.
None
Compulsory course for: MSc Naval Architecture
Optional course for: CPD students
May be taken in the following forms:
Entire Ship Dynamics course, including 2 coursework assessments and a 3 hour
exam
Candidates for CPD must have the prerequisite competence (i.e. min 2:1 in relevant degree)
Aims &
Objectives
General
Learning
Outcomes
(See Ref
1)
Specific
Learning
Outcome
s
The aim of the course is to give the student an advanced theoretical grounding in one of
the fundamental analytical discipline fields of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering.
Other fields are structural design and hydrodynamics
Ability to develop, monitor & update a plan, to reflect a changing
operating environment
N/A
Ability to monitor and adjust a personal program of work on an ongoing basis, and to learn independently
1. Normal background reading/study common to all degree programs
2. The NA MSc the assessment questions form a significant personal work load
requiring well developed self study and independent learning skills
An understanding of the different roles within a team, and the ability
to exercise leadership
N/A
The ability to learn new theories, concepts and methods in unfamiliar
situations
Normal learning situation common to all degree programs
Underpinning science & Mathematics
1. Understanding of scientific principles
a) Own Specialisation
Page | 1
(See Ref 1)
Engineering Practice
1. An understanding of current practice and limitations, some
appreciation of likely new developments Limited discussion of
practical aspects and difficulties found in controlling motions.
2. E x t e n s i v e k n o w l e d g e & u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f a
wide range of engineering materials &
components N/A
3. Ability to apply engineering techniques taking into
account of a range of commercial and industrial
constraints. N/A
Communication Present technical work in the following ways:Written
skills
Two major items of coursework
Oral
N/A
Participate in a technical discussion of:Technical discussion occurs in lectures and tutorials
Lead a technical discussion of:N/A
Competence statements derived from UK Spec - Ref 1
A.Use a combination of general and specialist engineering knowledge and understanding to
optimise the application of existing and emerging technology.
A1 Maintain and extend a sound
theoretical approach in enabling the
introduction and exploitation of new
and advancing technology and other
relevant developments. This could
include an ability to:
 Identify the limits of own personal
knowledge and skills
 Strive to extend own technological
capability
 Broaden and deepen own knowledge
base through research and
experimentation.
Addressed in module by:1. Understanding of scientific
principles a) Own Specialisation See
syllabus.
2. Awareness of developing technologies
(own specialisation)
Introduction to developing technologies in dynamic
analysis including: Random Processes.
 W aves
 Structural dynamics
 Response of ships to waves
 Seakeeping
3. Knowledge & Understanding of mathematical &
computer models, appreciation of limitations
Includes knowledge and understanding of both
current modelling methods used in the analysis
of ship motions and vibrations. Includes an
awareness of novel methods currently under
development.
4. Understanding of a breadth of concepts
(including some outside engineering, and an
ability to apply these in an engineering project.
Course is aimed at developing a deep
understanding of a specialist field (ship dynamics)
there is however some examination of the interaction
between ship design and structural design.
Page | 3
4
5. Ability to apply mathematical & computer based
models for solving problems in engineering &
awareness of limitations
The course applies current methods to the
solution of problems in the areas of ship
dynamics. Strong emphasis is placed on
discussion of the limitations and assumptions
inherent in current methods
A2 Engage in the creative and innovative
Engineering Analysis
development of engineering technology
and continuous improvement systems.
1. Ability to use fundamental knowledge to
This could include an ability to:
investigate new and emerging technologies
 Establish users’ needs
 Assess marketing needs and contribute to
The course explores the applications of current
marketing strategies
methods to novel configurations e.g. trimarans /
 Identify constraints and exploit
pentamarans.
opportunities for the development and
transfer of technology within own chosen
3. Ability to extract & apply data in the
field
solution of unfamiliar problems
 Promote new applications when
appropriate
The course discusses data monitoring and its
 Secure the necessary intellectual
application however there are no experimental or
property rights
experimental data analysis aspects to the course.
 Develop and evaluate continuous
improvement systems
B Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solution of
engineering problems.
B1 Identify potential projects and
opportunities. This could include an
ability to:
 Explore the territory within own
responsibility for new opportunities
 Review the potential for enhancing
engineering products, processes,
systems and services
 Use own knowledge of the employer’s
position to assess the viability of
opportunities.
B2 Conduct appropriate research, and
undertake design and development of
engineering solutions. This could
include an ability to:
 Identify and agree appropriate research
methodologies
 Assemble the necessary resources
 Carry out the necessary tests
 Collect, analyse and evaluate the relevant
data
 Draft, present and agree design
recommendations
 Undertake engineering design.
B3 Implement design solutions, and evaluate
their effectiveness. This could include an
ability to:
 Ensure that the application of the
design results in the appropriate
practical outcome
Addressed in module by:Innovation
1. Ability to generate design of innovative
products, systems, processes to fulfil new needs
The course is intended to provide a firm
foundation from which students will be able
to generate innovative solutions;
Design
1. Knowledge & understanding of design process
& methodologies, an ability to apply and adapt
them in unfamiliar situations.
The unit examines the limitations present in
current methods and discusses their adoption
to novel geometries.
Engineering Practice
1.An understanding of current practice and
limitations, some appreciation of likely new
developments
Page | 5
 Identify the required cost, quality,
Limited discussion of practical aspects and
safety, reliability, appearance, fitness for
difficulties found in controlling motions.
purpose and environmental impact of
the outcome
Economic, Social & Environmental Context
 Determine the criteria for evaluating the
design solutions
1. Ability to evaluate commercial risk through
 Evaluate the outcome against the original
an understanding of the basis of such risks
specification
 Actively learn from feedback on results to
The course places a strong emphasis on the
improve future design solutions and build
risks associated with extreme motions.
best practice.
C Provide technical and commercial leadership.
C1 Plan for effective project implementation.
N/A
This could include an ability to:
 Identify the factors affecting the project
implementation
 Lead on preparing and agreeing
implementation plans and method
statements
 Ensure that the necessary resources are
secured and brief the project team
 Negotiate the necessary contractual
arrangements with other stakeholders
(client, subcontractors, suppliers, etc.)
C2 Plan, budget, organise, direct and
control tasks, people and resources.
This could include an ability to:
 Set up appropriate management systems
 Agree quality standards, programme and
budget
 Organise and lead work teams,
coordinating project activities
 Ensure that variations from quality
standards, programme and budgets are
identified, and that corrective action is
taken
 Gather and evaluate feedback, and
recommend improvements.
N/A
C3 Lead teams and develop staff to meet
changing technical and managerial
needs. This could include an ability to:
 Agree objectives and work plans with
teams and individuals
 Identify team and individual needs, and
plan for their development
 Lead and support team and individual
development
 Assess team and individual performance,
and provide feedback.
N/A
C4 Bring about continuous improvement
through quality management. This could
include an ability to:
 Promote quality throughout the
organization and its customer and
supplier networks
 Develop and maintain operations to meet
quality standards
N/A
Page | 6
 Direct project evaluation and propose
recommendations for improvement.
Teaching & Learning Methods
Lectures
Private Reading
Tutorials
Practicals
Extramural activity
Independent Project Work
Language Work
Required written Work
Revision
Total
Method & Timing of assessment
Outline syllabus
Number / Student Hours
64
54
25
3
30(2x15)
45
221
End of course 3 hr written
exam and 2 assessment
squestions
Random Processes
Probability theory, distributions; Random processes, correlation, spectra; Input-output
relations; FFT and simulation techniques.
Waves
Waves as a random process; Design spectra, long and short crested seas; Short and long term
wave statistics; Ocean wave theories including linear and Stokes 3rd and 5th order theories.
Structural Dynamics
Vibrations of continuous systems. Lagrange's equations; Finite element methods in structural
dynamics; Modal analysis, orthogonality, principal co-ordinates; Direct solution techniques in the
time domain; Substructuring methods.
Response of Ships to Waves
Skip theory and 2-D hydrodynamic forces; Response to sinusoidal wave; Typical ship results
in seaway; Generalised fluid actions and hydroelasticity; Numerical methods for 3-D
hydrodynamics; Applications to ships and offshore structures.
Seakeeping
Seakeeping equations; Encounter frequency; Roll, roll damping and stabilisation;
Influences of excessive motions; Slamming, whipping and springing.
References
Timetable
Seakeeping: Ship Behaviour in
Rough Weather
Mechanical Vibrations- Theory
and Application
Probabilistic Theory of Ship
Dynamics (+)
Structural Dynamics
Random Vibrations & Spectral
Analysis
Dynamics of Offshore
Engineering
Available from
RINA
Allyn & Bacon
A.R.J.M Lloyd
Chapman & Hall
F.S. Tse, I.E. Morse & R.T.
Hinkle
W.G. Price & R.E.D. Bishop
Wiley
Longman
R.R. Craig
D.E. Newland
Bentham Press
M.H. Patel
One day per week from September to March
Ref 1 EC UK – UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence “The accreditation
of Higher Education Programmes” Dec 2008