Course content

"Defying nature by moving fast on water—humans have attempted this challenge, and to succeed they took a page out of the book of nature! Enrolling in TMR4217 will enable students to master the science behind high-speed vessels!"

High-speed marine vessels are intricate feats of engineering. They are critical in sectors such as search and rescue and rapid passenger transport, where operational speed is essential. Additionally, they are gaining prominence in novel applications, like offshore energy production, where fast and stable vessels able to operate in rough seas can be essential for repair and other missions. Understanding how design and operational factors influence resistance, propulsion, seakeeping, stability, and maneuverability forms the foundation for creating innovative, efficient vessel designs.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of three key categories of high-speed marine vessels: hull-supported, air-cushion-supported, and foil-supported vessels. It also draws connections to bio-inspired technologies by providing insights on the efficient, high-speed swimming mechanisms of aquatic animals, which offer inspiration for reducing environmental impact while enhancing endurance and maneuverability.

The tools and techniques taught in this course are broadly applicable, to include hydrodynamic analysis of slender vehicles in fields like underwater robotics and autonomous surface vehicles.

Key topics include:

• Resistance and Propulsion: Understanding the components of resistance and selecting optimal propulsion systems for various high-speed vessels.
• Seakeeping and Stability: Predicting vessel behaviour in challenging sea conditions and understanding stability considerations at high speeds.
• Manoeuvring and (insights on) Automatic Control: Exploring vessel maneuvering and steering under various conditions, with a focus on precision and safety.
• Foils and Lifting Surfaces: From nature to engineering, from airplanes to high-speed vessels, understanding the physics of lifting surfaces and their applications.

Learning outcome

General objectives of the course are to:

• Foster mastery of high-speed vessel hydrodynamics concepts, terminology, and applications, ensuring students are well-versed in the foundational principles and their practical relevance.
• Provide comprehensive understanding of various high-speed marine vehicles, covering their design aspects, operational advantages, and the challenges they face in different marine environments.
• Equip students with analytical skills and a critical perspective on theoretical, numerical, and experimental investigations, enabling them to assess and contribute to the development of high-speed marine vehicles.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Understand the differences between high-speed vessel designs and evaluate their suitability for specific missions, while recognizing the trade-offs between optimizing design criteria based on resistance and seakeeping, stability and maneuverability.
• Identify and explain the physical mechanisms contributing to resistance experienced by high-speed vessels, and select appropriate methods to estimate resistance in both calm water and wave conditions.
• Identify suitable propulsion systems for specific high-speed vessels, estimate their thrust and efficiency, and analyze their operational challenges.
• Explain the physics and evaluate performance of foil systems, understand the role of lifting surfaces in design and operation of high-speed vessels.
• Estimate wave-induced response variables and assess operational limit criteria for high-speed vessels, including predicting violent wave-body interaction phenomena such as slamming and water on deck.
• Assess hull loads during maneuvering in calm water, in waves, and in the presence of other vessels or structures, as well as evaluate the loads and performance of steering devices under these conditions.
• Evaluate static and dynamic stability of high-speed vehicles, understanding the role and influence of automatic control systems on stability and vessel behavior.
• Address scaling issues when conducting model tests for high-speed vessels, and select suitable prediction tools for hydrodynamic estimates.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures: Each week, there will be a three-hour theoretical lecture and a one-hour exercise session. It is strongly recommended that students attend all lectures, as this will support their learning process and foster a collaborative environment with their classemates. During exercise sessions, students will receive guidance on specific exercises and improve their problem-solving strategies. A teaching assistant will provide support and manage the exercises and related activities.

Methods of Assessing Students Learning: A list of sample questions closely aligned with the theoretical lectures will be provided on the Online Learning Platform. The students are encouraged to regularly assess their understanding by attempting these questions; collaborative group work is highly recommended, as it enables students to approach problems from diverse perspectives, enriching their learning experience. Assigned exercises and theoretical sample questions will allow students to evaluate their progress both practically and theoretically. Additionally, quizzes will be introduced during theoretical lectures to provide quick assessments of understanding and reinforce key concepts.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Familiarity with mathematical symbols and a basic understanding of fluid mechanics, water waves, and hydrodynamics are recommended. Attending the TMR4215 - Sea Loads course is ideal for maximizing comprehension and outcomes in this course. However, students from different disciplines or with other backgrounds are welcome to enroll and are encouraged to engage with lecturers to address any knowledge gaps and enhance their learning experience.

Course materials

Core Textbook: O.M. Faltinsen, Hydrodynamics of High-Speed Marine Vehicles, Cambridge University Press, 2005.

Lecture slides and notes will be made available on the course's online learning platform.