Nonlinear Dynamics of Marine Systems in Random Waves

The dynamics of ships or offshore structures is influenced by several different effects, some of which have a distinctly nonlinear characteristic. Even though in many situations the motion can sufficiently be described by linear models, nonlinear phenomena play a crucial role in the investigation of some more critical operating conditions: Large amplitude motions, sudden jumps in the dynamical behavior and sensitivity to the initial conditions are likely to occur under some circumstances. The response of floating systems such as moored buoys and barges in regular waves can be approximated by analytical or numerical techniques. These analyses reveal the characteristics of different periodic motions. In order to determine how these responses change under a more general forcing, the motion of floating structures under the influence of random disturbances is described by probability distributions. Different mathematical tools can efficiently be applied to models with few degrees of freedom. The localized statistical linearization used here is also promising for larger systems. Modelling aspects of offshore structures and random waves are discussed as well as the determination of probability distributions. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)