The New Year Wave in a seakeeping basin: Generation, propagation, kinematics and dynamics

• Published in: Ocean engineering Vol. 38; no. 14; pp. 1624 - 1639
• Main Authors: Clauss, G.F., Klein, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Basins; Bending moments; Dynamic tests; Dynamics; Dynamics of the ocean (upper and deep oceans); Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; External geophysics; Ground, air and sea transportation, marine construction; Kinematics; Marine; Marine construction; Physics of the oceans; Seakeeping; Tanks; Wave dynamics; Wave generation; Wave kinematics; Wave propagation; Wave structure interaction; ANE, North Sea; Wave structure interaction; Wave kinematics; Wave propagation; Wave generation; Wave dynamics; simulation; Behavior at sea; kinematics; Experimental device; Wave interaction; Ocean dynamics; Fluid structure interaction; Rogue vague; Experimental result; extreme value; Roll on roll off freighter; Non linear wave; Dynamic pressure
• ISSN: 0029-8018; 1873-5258
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2011.07.022

In the past years the existence of freak waves has been affirmed by observations, registrations, and severe accidents. One of the famous real-world registrations is the so-called “New Year Wave” recorded in the North Sea at the Draupner jacket platform on January 1, 1995. Since there is only a single point registration available, it is not possible to draw conclusions on the spatial development in front of and behind the point of registration, which is indispensable for a complete understanding of this phenomenon. This paper presents the temporal and spatial development of the “New Year Wave” generated in a seakeeping basin. This extreme sea state is measured at different locations in the tank, in a range from 2163 m (full scale) ahead of to 1470 m behind the target position—520 registrations altogether. The focus lies on the detailed description of a possible evolution of the “New Year Wave” over a large area. The group velocity, wave propagation and energy flux of this wave group as well as the wave kinematics and dynamics are analysed. As a case study a Ro/Ro vessel has been investigated in the “New Year Wave”, with special emphasis on the vertical bending moment. ► This paper presents the evolution of the “New Year Wave” in a seakeeping basin. ► A hybrid wave generation tool is used for the reproduction of the wave sequence. ► The temporal and spatial evolution including wave kinematics and dynamics are discussed. ► Finally, a Ro/Ro vessel encountering the “New Year Wave” is investigated. ► The model tests show that the impact on ships is severe.