Stability Validation: Righting Moment, Density & List Angle of Floating Objects

Abstract

Finite Element modelling of floating structure for the sake of stress analysis has never been an easy task due to various numbers of factors involved in such structures and the nature of finite element simulations. Typically, if using ‘ALE’ (Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian) feature available in LS-DYNA3D explicit code, the floating object will have to float in a fluid 'half-space' of a size which will best represent the effects of the pseudo-infinite sea. The boundaries will need careful consideration, and perhaps employ non-reflecting (energy absorbing) representation. In this representation which will be employed in this paper a study of buoyancy is conducted for verification purposes for modelling afloat. Discussed in this paper is the mathematical verification of the buoyancy of a float, while modelling with LS-DYNA3D features is left to further consideration.