Proteus Engineering Releases New VisualSMP Seakeeping Softwan

VisualSMP is a suite of tools used in the prediction and analysis of a ship's seakeeping characteristics. Included in VisualSMP is the SMP95 strip theory based frequency domain seakeeping program, the SEP96 seakeeping analysis program, the STH97 time history program, and the SWMP96 SWATH seakeeping program, all developed by the U.S. Navy. The U.S. Navy has selected Proteus Engineering to distribute these tools commercially, and Proteus has used its experience in seakeeping analysis and software development to integrate and extend them, resulting in VisupBSBEF alSMP. VisualSMP adds a graphical preand post-processor, together with tools to simulate and visualize the motion of the ship in a seaway.

Proteus has developed the graphical pre- and post-processor using the Microsoft Windows GUI. These tools speed the data input process and provide graphical tools to view the computed results. SMP95 input models consist of hull offsets, appendage dimensions, and controller coefficients. The hull offsets are described to the system as points on sections, including the stem and stern profile. Both transverse and longitudinal knuckles are allowed. The user may input up to 70 stations and 70 points per station.

SMP95 provides a potential flow solution based on linearized strip theory.

The assumptions inherent in this theory are that ship length is large compared to beam and draft, and that hull section and waterplane properties are represented by the calm water values. The latter condition requires that ship motions be limited to small amplitudes. Accuracy will be reduced for ships with low length-tobeam ratios (less than 5), where end effects are significant, and for large amplitude motions (wave heights in excess of draft) where non-linear effects such as bow flare are significant.