A method for intermediate flooding and sinking simulation of a damaged floater in time domain

- Flooding and sinking procedures of a damaged floater is defined.
- A method for intermediate flooding and sinking simulation of the damaged floater in time domain is proposed.
- Theoretical background for the simulation is established.
- We perform the intermediate flooding and sinking simulation.
- The time to be equilibrium or the time to sink is estimated from the simulation.

When a floater such as a ship or an offshore structure is damaged in the sea, it is necessary to determine whether the floater will sink in water or not. If the floater will sink, the time to sink should be estimated to make an emergency plan. In addition, causes of the flooding should be investigated carefully. For this purpose, a method for performing intermediate flooding and sinking simulation of the damaged floater in time domain is proposed in this study. Overall process of the proposed method consists of several steps. In the first step, data of the damaged floater such as hull form and compartments are prepared. In the second step, physical characteristics of the floater such as the increased weight considering incoming water, the center of gravity, the changed buoyancy, and the center of buoyancy are calculated at every time step. In the third step, the quasi-static equilibrium position of the floater is calculated. The second and third steps are repeated until the floater reaches to sink or to be in equilibrium. As a result, the final condition of the floater can be determined. To check the feasibility of the proposed method, it is applied to a simple box problem. Finally, it is applied to intermediate flooding simulation of a barge-type damaged floater. Two cases having damaged holes of different locations are selected. As a result, it was confirmed that the floater can be in equilibrium or sink according to the damaged position. The time to be in equilibrium or the time to sink was estimated.