HYDROELASTIC CONSIDERATIONS IN SHIP PANEL DESIGN

Panels and all other structural components of surface ships and submar ines vibrate when the vessel is underway. The vibratory motions are pr imarily excited by the power plant. At operational (design) speeds, pa nels vibrate in their fundamental modes and those associated with thei r higher harmonic frequencies. The panel motions have rather well-defi ned energy spectra, which depend on both the structural design, positi on of the panel and the rotational speed of the single or multiple pow er plants. The panel motions will interact with the vortices in the ad jacent turbulent boundary layer. The interaction can result in either an increase in the frictional drag or a decrease. Because of this, the argument is made that the designs of the panels and their support sys tems should include considerations of this hydroelastic effect.