Numerical investigation of response-conditioning wave techniques for short-term rare combined loading scenarios

Response-conditioning wave techniques are a rational way to link wave excitation environments with return-period extreme loading responses. By retaining the wave excitation which leads to a design response, these techniques can also define extreme combined loading scenarios. For complex or novel hull forms, combined loading may be relevant for evaluating structural reliability or adequacy. But using combined loading scenarios as inputs to high-fidelity structural or dynamic modeling tools implies that such load scenarios are realistic for the defined return-period. This paper investigates three response-conditioning wave techniques: a modified Equivalent Design Wave method, a modified Conditioned Random Response Wave method, and the Design Loads Generator, to evaluate how well they reproduce combined loading statistics for a 1000-hr return-period as compared to stochastic brute-force simulations. The investigation is carried out for extreme combined loading scenarios on a 110 m trimaran hull. The Design Loads Generator produces the most realistic extreme combined loading statistics as compared to the brute-force approach with a significant reduction in computation time based on combined load conditional probability density functions, cumulative density functions, and individual stochastic load vectors.Ship Design, Production and Operation