Excessive Acceleration Criterion: Application to Naval Ships

Abstract: In this paper, the application of the excessive acceleration (EA) criterion, one of five intact stability failure modes, within the second generation intact stability criteria (SGISC) framework, is shown for a set of naval vessels. First and second level vulnerability assessment of the criterion is applied to parent hulls D1 and D5 of D-Systematic Series, the US Office of Naval Research (ONR) Topside Series model, and the European multi-purpose frigate FREMM. All of which are semi-displacement, transom stern, and round bilge hull forms. Relatively low ship roll periods and great variations of hull geometry in vertical direction make this kind of ship potentially vulnerable to the EA phenomenon. Five displacements are considered for each vessel, and the minimum value of the KG height, which satisfies the Level 2 assessment, is computed for each of them. The curve of the minimum allowable KG is compared with the curve of the maximum KG complying with intact stability criteria specified in RINA (Registro Italiano Navale), classification rules for naval ships.