Time domain simulation of dynamic positioning manoeuvres based on impulse response functions

The Paper focusses on the development of a numerical method to simulate ship motions under arbitrary external forces. Based on impulse response functions, the de- veloped method benefits from the computational efficiency of boundary element methods in frequency domain to determine hydrodynamic forces acting on the vessel. Major non- linear effects are captured directly in time domain. To capture the vessels drift motion, second-order wave excitation is considered. Wind and current induced forces complete the modelling of environmental loads. An interface to MATLAB/SIMULINK simplifies an efficient representation of the vessels control system and the dynamics of its propul- sion plant. This finally allows time-domain simulations of complex dynamic positioning manoeuvres in natural seaway