Extended Operational and Trade Vocabulary

Naval Architecture Software and IACS Rules glossary (page 2)

The design-software and class-rule vocabulary: the ABS class notations (A1, AMS), the Eagle SafeHull and FPSO software suites, the Common Structural Rules, and the FEA and rule-check tools used in ship design. Grounds each term in the classification rule or the naval-architecture software it belongs to.

507 defined terms.

Showing 250 on this page (page 2 of 3).

I

ISO 19030: Hull and propeller performance measurement.
ISO 8217: International standard for marine fuel oil specifications.
ITTC 1957: Model-ship correlation friction line published by ITTC for full-scale resistance extrapolation.
ITTC 1978: Performance prediction method for single screw ships published by the 15th ITTC.
ITTC Recommended Procedures: Library of standardized testing and extrapolation procedures maintained by ITTC.

K

Kappel propeller: Tip-loaded propeller with smoothly curved tip developed by J. J. Kappel and MAN Diesel & Turbo (MAN ES).
KCS: KRISO Container Ship, public domain benchmark hull used for CFD validation studies.
Keel Block Loads: Reaction loads on docking blocks computed in MAESTRO and DNV Poseidon.
Keel Plate: Centerline bottom plate addressed in IACS UR S23 thickness requirements.
Kelvin Wake: Characteristic wave pattern of a moving vessel.
Kongsberg DigitalTwin: Vessel performance monitoring platform integrating CFD-derived performance baselines.
Korean Register: KR, Korean classification society and IACS member, founded 1960.
KR-CON: Korean Register classification information database including rules and forms.
KRISO: Korea Research Institute of Ships and Ocean Engineering, source of public domain KCS and KVLCC hulls.
KVLCC2: KRISO Very Large Crude Carrier benchmark hull.

L

L/B Ratio: Length-to-beam ratio used as a primary parameter in Holtrop-Mennen and Hollenbach resistance methods.
Lagrangian Particle Tracking: Discrete phase technique in STAR-CCM+ and Fluent for spray and droplet studies.
Lashing Code: IMO Cargo Stowage and Securing Code influencing container vessel class notation calculations.
Length Between Perpendiculars: LBP, distance between forward and aft perpendiculars used in ship rule formulas.
LES: Large Eddy Simulation, scale-resolving turbulence approach available in STAR-CCM+, Fluent, and OpenFOAM.
Lewis form: Two-parameter family of cross sections used in strip theory.
Life Cycle Assessment: Environmental impact methodology supported by some naval architecture tool extensions.
Lifting line theory: Prandtl theory for slender lifting foils and propellers.
Lightship Weight: Empty ship weight including hull, machinery, and outfit but excluding cargo and stores.
Limit State Approach: Modern reliability-based design philosophy underlying CSR-BC+OT acceptance criteria.
Linear Wave Theory: Airy wave assumption underlying potential flow seakeeping codes such as WADAM and AQWA.
Liquefaction Bulk Cargo: Cargo behavior driving Group A IMSBC requirements and bulk carrier hold analyses.
Lloyd's Register: LR, UK-headquartered classification society and IACS member founded 1760.
Load Combination Factor: Coefficient combining individual load components in CSR-BC+OT direct strength analysis.
Loading Computer: Onboard software approved by class for stability and longitudinal strength monitoring, such as NAPA Loading Computer.
Loading Manual: class-approved document defining permissible cargo and ballast distributions.
Longitudinal Strength: hull-girder bending and shear capacity, governed by IACS UR-S11 and CSR-H Part 1 Chapter 5.
LPS Method: Load-Pressure-Stress workflow used in CSR-BC+OT direct strength analysis.
LR 100A1: Lloyd's Register principal class notation for ships built and maintained to LR Rules for unrestricted service.
LR ShipRight: LR's direct calculation and design assessment procedures.
LS-DYNA: Explicit dynamics finite element solver from Ansys used for ship collision and grounding studies.

M

MAESTRO: MAESTRO Marine global ship structural analysis software combining FEM modeling, rule checks, and optimization.
MAESTRO ALPS: Advanced Limit States buckling module within the MAESTRO suite.
MAESTRO Marine: Vendor of the MAESTRO ship structural analysis platform headquartered in the United States.
Manoeuvring Simulation: Time-domain ship maneuvering analysis performed in tools such as Aqwa and Orcaflex.
MARPOL Annex I: Prevention of pollution by oil.
MARPOL Annex VI: Air pollution and energy-efficiency annex.
MARS 2000: Bureau Veritas legacy structural analysis program for hull cross sections.
Master Drawings: Approved class drawings retained by IACS societies for the life of the vessel.
Maxsurf: Naval architecture software suite from Bentley Systems comprising Modeler, Resistance, Stability, Motions, and Structure modules.
Maxsurf Modeler: Hull surface modeling module within the Maxsurf suite using NURBS surfaces.
Maxsurf Motions: Seakeeping analysis module within Maxsurf based on strip theory and panel methods.
Maxsurf Resistance: Resistance estimation module within Maxsurf implementing Holtrop, Hollenbach, and other methods.
Maxsurf Stability: Intact and damage stability module within the Maxsurf suite.
Maxsurf Structure: Ship structural design module within the Maxsurf suite.
MCA: UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, responsible for SOSREP intervention.
Mean Wetted Surface: Reference area used in resistance coefficient nondimensionalization.
Mechanical: Ansys structural mechanics application within Ansys Workbench.
Mega Yacht Notation: Class notation addressing yacht-specific requirements such as LY3 or REG Yacht Code.
MEPC.227(64): IMO Marine Environment Protection Committee resolution on guidelines for approval of ballast water management systems.
Mesh Adaption: Automatic refinement based on flow gradients in STAR-CCM+ and Fluent CFD runs.
Metacentric Height: GM, primary measure of initial transverse stability computed in NAPA, GHS, and Maxsurf.
MicroStation: Bentley Systems CAD platform underlying OpenShip and several offshore design workflows.
Midship Section: Transverse section near amidships used in scantling formulas and section modulus calculations.
Miner's Rule: Linear damage accumulation hypothesis used in CSR-BC+OT fatigue assessment.
MITgcm: Massachusetts Institute of Technology General Circulation Model occasionally used for environmental loads.
Modal Superposition: Linear dynamic analysis technique implemented in Ansys, Abaqus, and Sesam Sestra.
Model Test Correlation: Procedure aligning CFD and full-scale predictions with towing tank data per ITTC procedures.
Modular Hull Form: Parametric NURBS hull representation enabling rapid variant generation in Rhinoceros and Grasshopper.
Moment of Inertia: Cross-sectional property governing hull girder section modulus and bending stiffness.
Motion RAO: Response Amplitude Operator describing motion per unit wave amplitude versus frequency.
MSC Circ.1455: IMO MSC circular providing guidelines for the approval of alternatives and equivalents.
MSC Nastran: General-purpose finite element solver from Hexagon MSC used for ship structural analysis.
Multibody Dynamics: Coupled rigid body analysis used in Orcaflex and Aqwa for moored systems.

N

NAPA: Naval Architecture Package, Finnish naval architecture software suite originally developed in 1971.
NAPA Designer: NAPA module for hull and structural geometry definition.
NAPA Loading Computer: Onboard NAPA module for stability and strength monitoring approved by class societies.
NAPA Steel: NAPA module for steel structural design supporting CSR-BC+OT rule calculations.
NASTRAN: NASA Structural Analysis program, ancestor of MSC Nastran and NX Nastran.
National Shipbuilding Research Program: US industry-government collaboration influencing CAD/CAM standards.
Nautilus FEM: ClassNK FEM solver used within the PrimeShip-HULL suite for direct strength assessment.
Naval Surface Combatant Notation: Specialized class notations for warships issued by ABS, LR, BV, and others.
Net Scantling Approach: CSR-BC+OT design philosophy requiring assessment with corrosion margins deducted.
Newman Sharma Approximation: Method for computing mean second order drift forces in WADAM and WAMIT.
Newton-Raphson Iteration: Nonlinear solution scheme used in Abaqus Standard and Ansys Mechanical.
NK NS*: ClassNK notation indicating compliance with NK rules for unrestricted service.
NK PrimeShip: ClassNK family of class software including PrimeShip-HULL and PrimeShip-CMS.
No-Slip Boundary: Standard wall condition for viscous CFD ship simulations in STAR-CCM+ and Fluent.
Normal Mode Analysis: Free vibration analysis used to identify ship hull girder natural frequencies.
NORSOK Standards: Norwegian offshore standards series widely referenced in offshore structural design.
Numeca FineMarine: Marine CFD package originally from Numeca International, now part of Cadence.
NURBS Surface: Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline surface representation used in Rhinoceros, NAPA, and Maxsurf.
Nx Nastran: Siemens-branded distribution of the NASTRAN solver used in ship structural analysis.

O

Ocean Engineering Suite: Generic term for integrated naval architecture and offshore engineering toolchains.
Oil Outflow Analysis: MARPOL Annex I Regulation 23 calculation supported by NAPA and GHS.
OpenFOAM: Open-source CFD toolbox developed by OpenCFD Ltd and distributed by the OpenFOAM Foundation and ESI.
OpenFOAM interFoam: Volume-of-fluid solver in OpenFOAM widely used for ship resistance and seakeeping.
OpenShip: Bentley Systems integrated ship design environment building on MicroStation.
Orca3D: Naval architecture plugin for Rhinoceros providing hydrostatics, stability, and resistance calculations.
Orcaflex: Time-domain dynamic-analysis code for offshore systems.
Orcina: UK developer of OrcaFlex and OrcaLay specializing in offshore dynamic analysis.
Outfit Design: Modeling of piping, HVAC, cable trays, and equipment in AVEVA Marine, Foran, and CADMATIC.

P

Panel Code: Boundary element hydrodynamic solver such as WAMIT, WADAM, or HydroSTAR.
Panel Mesh: Surface mesh used in boundary element seakeeping codes such as WADAM and AQWA.
Parametric Design: Approach using rule-based geometry in CAESES, Rhinoceros Grasshopper, and NAPA macros.
Parametric roll: Resonant roll growth in head/following seas due to GM variation.
PAT Analysis: Permissible Area of Trade analysis tied to class notations restricting operating area.
PD Strake: Plate strake at the gunwale addressed in IACS UR S6 steel grade requirements.
Pegasus Solver: Internal CFD solver name occasionally seen in defense-oriented codes; omitted unless verifiable.
Performance Prediction Method: Empirical method such as ITTC 1978 for translating model test data to full scale.
Pitch: Vertical motion of bow and stern; tar.
Plate Buckling: Local instability mode evaluated in PULS, MAESTRO ALPS, and Ansys eigenvalue analyses.
Plate Slenderness: Ratio governing plate panel buckling capacity in CSR-BC+OT Chapter 8.
Plate Thickness Diminution: In-service wastage limit triggering steel renewal under IACS UR Z10.
Polar Code: Adopted under SOLAS XIV and MARPOL; complements Article 234 jurisdiction.
Polycad: Naval architecture surface modeling and offset generation software.
Poseidon: DNV rule-based hull structural assessment software for ships under DNV Rules and CSR.
Potential Flow: Ideal fluid assumption underlying panel methods used in WADAM, WAMIT, and AQWA.
Powering Prediction: Estimation of required propulsion power from resistance, wake, and propeller open-water data.
Pre-fab Block: Production unit defined in AVEVA Marine, Foran, and CADMATIC for shipyard assembly.
PrimeShip-HULL: ClassNK suite for rule calculation and direct strength assessment of ship structures.
Probabilistic Damage Stability: SOLAS Ch II-1 Part B-1 framework using R and A indices.
Procedural Requirement 29: IACS PR29 covering software-based system requirements for onboard computers.
Propeller Open Water: Test data for an isolated propeller in uniform flow used in powering predictions.
Propulsion Train Vibration: Torsional, axial, and whirling analysis required by IACS UR M68.
PRS: Polski Rejestr Statkow, Polish Register of Shipping, IACS member.
PULS: Panel Ultimate Limit State buckling code from DNV referenced in CSR-BC+OT direct strength analysis.

Q

QSCS: Quality System Certification Scheme operated by IACS for its member societies.
Quadrilateral Shell Element: Standard plate element type used in MAESTRO, Ansys, Abaqus, and Sesam GeniE for hull FEM.
Quality Assurance Audit: IACS Quality System Certification Scheme audit of member societies.

R

RANS: Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations underlying ship CFD solvers such as STAR-CCM+ and Fluent.
Rao Trim Optimization: Trim optimization workflow leveraging RAO and resistance curves for fuel efficiency.
Recognized organization: RO, delegated to act on behalf of the flag state.
Refloating Analysis: Damaged ship rescue analysis performed in NAPA and GHS for salvage operations.
Reliability-Based Design: Statistical design methodology underlying limit-state philosophy in CSR-BC+OT.
Renormalization Group k-epsilon: Turbulence model variant available in Fluent and STAR-CCM+ for ship CFD.
Required Index R: Probabilistic damage stability target attained index under SOLAS 2009.
Resistance Decomposition: Splitting of total resistance into frictional, wave-making, and form components.
Response Amplitude Operator: RAO, transfer function relating wave amplitude to motion or load response.
Response Spectrum Analysis: Linear seakeeping postprocessing technique combining RAOs with sea spectra.
Reynolds Number: Dimensionless ratio of inertial to viscous forces.
Reynolds Stress Model: Anisotropic turbulence closure available in Fluent and STAR-CCM+.
Rhinoceros: NURBS surface modeling software from Robert McNeel & Associates widely used in marine design.
Rigid Body Motion Solver: DFBI-type module in CFD codes resolving ship motions in waves.
RINA: Royal Institution of Naval Architects, London, founded 1860.
RINA Leonardo Hull: RINA suite for rule-based and direct hull structural assessment.
Risk-Based Design: Approach using formal safety assessment to justify equivalents under SOLAS and IMO MSC Circ.1455.
Roll Decay Test: Free decay experiment used to estimate roll damping in tank tests and ShipMo3D validation.
Roll Period: Time for one complete oscillation; approximated by T = 2 pi k / sqrt(g GM).
Routing Application: Plant design module for piping and cable routing in AVEVA E3D, Foran, and CADMATIC.
RS: Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, IACS member headquartered in St Petersburg.

S

Safe return to port: SOLAS II-2 regulation 21 requirement under MSC.216(82) for passenger ships of 120 m or more or three or more MVZs built on or after 1 July 2010.
Sea Solution: Naval architecture software package serving shipyard rule scantling and stability needs.
Seakeeping Analysis: Computation of ship motions in waves using strip theory or panel methods.
Secondary Stress: Stress in stiffened panels due to bending of stiffeners under lateral pressure.
Section Modulus: hull girder property governed by IACS UR-S11 minima.
SENER: Spanish engineering firm developer of the Foran shipbuilding CAD/CAM/CAE system.
Sesam GeniE: DNV Sesam structural FEM modeler used for ship and offshore structures.
Sesam HydroD: DNV Sesam preprocessor for hydrostatic and hydrodynamic analyses.
Sesam Postresp: DNV Sesam postprocessor for response statistics and design wave selection.
Sesam Sestra: DNV Sesam linear FEM solver.
Sesam Wadam: DNV Sesam frequency-domain seakeeping solver.
Sesam Wajac: DNV Sesam jacket wave load module.
Sesam Wasim: DNV Sesam time-domain seakeeping and slamming solver.
Shaft alignment: Engineering process aligning engine, gearbox, intermediate, and tail shaft bearings to acceptable loads and angles.
ShellSafe: Hull surface modeling tool used in some shipyards; omitted unless current vendor reference confirmed.
Ship Motion Code: General term for codes such as ShipMo3D, Aqwa, and PRECAL.
ShipConstructor: Production-oriented shipbuilding CAD from SSI Canada built on the AutoCAD platform.
SHIPFLOW: CFD suite from FLOWTECH covering potential flow, viscous flow, and propulsion analyses.
ShipMo3D: Time-domain seakeeping and maneuvering code developed by the Canadian government.
ShipRight: Lloyd's Register's set of structural assessment procedures including FDA, SDA, and CSA.
Side Shell Plating: Hull plating outside the waterline governed by CSR-BC+OT Chapter 6.
Single Phase Flow: CFD assumption ignoring free surface, used in wetted hull friction studies.
Sloshing Loads: Internal cargo tank loads addressed in IACS UR S33 and CSR-OT.
Smart3D: Hexagon 3D plant and marine design platform, evolution of Intergraph SmartMarine 3D.
SmartMarine 3D: Original Intergraph branding for the 3D marine design system now known as Hexagon Smart3D.
SOLAS: International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974; the IMO treaty setting minimum construction, equipment, and operation standards for merchant ships.
SP Equipment Number: Specific equipment number variants used by IACS societies for anchoring equipment.
Spectral Fatigue Analysis: Frequency-domain fatigue assessment based on wave scatter diagrams and RAOs.
Springing: Hull girder resonant vibration excited by wave loads, addressed in IACS UR S11A.
SST k-omega: Shear Stress Transport turbulence model widely used in ship CFD with STAR-CCM+ and Fluent.
STAR-CCM+: Multiphysics CFD code from Siemens Digital Industries Software widely used in marine simulation.
Statutory survey: Survey performed under IMO conventions for issuance or endorsement of statutory certificates.
Stiffener Buckling: Column buckling check on plate stiffeners per CSR-BC+OT Chapter 8.
Stillwater Bending Moment: Bending moment in calm water computed by loading computers per IACS UR S1.
Stillwater Shear Force: Shear force in calm water computed alongside SWBM in loading manuals.
Strip theory: 2D sectional approach to seakeeping (Salvesen-Tuck-Faltinsen).
Structural Idealization: Choice of plate, beam, and bar elements in FEM ship models.
Subsea 7 Engineering Suite: Vendor-specific subsea pipeline tool occasionally interfaced with OrcaFlex.
Surf Studio: Hull surface modeling package marketed as Hull Surf Studio.
Surveyor Tools: Software supporting IACS UR Z surveys, including thickness measurement reporting.
Sway: Lateral translational motion.
Synchronous Generator Modeling: Electrical analysis aligned with IACS UR E5 for shipboard power systems.

T

Tanker Hull Form: Block-type hull form governed by CSR-BC+OT for double hull tankers.
TankWAVE: Sloshing assessment tool occasionally used for LNG containment systems; omitted unless current vendor reference confirmed.
Tdyn: Multiphysics CFD and FEA software from Compass IS used in marine and industrial applications.
Teamcenter: Siemens product lifecycle management platform integrating CAD data from STAR-CCM+ and NX.
THERMOPTIM: Thermodynamic cycle analysis tool sometimes interfaced with marine machinery design.
Thickness Measurement: In-service hull gauging required by IACS UR Z10 for ship surveys.
Three-Cargo-Hold Model: FEM model extent prescribed by CSR-BC+OT for direct strength analysis of bulk carriers.
Three-Cargo-Tank Model: FEM model extent prescribed by CSR-BC+OT for direct strength analysis of oil tankers.
Time-Domain Seakeeping: Nonlinear motion analysis performed in codes such as ShipMo3D, AQWA Drift, and OrcaFlex.
Tonnage Convention: IMO 1969 convention defining gross and net tonnage used in many class fees.
Topside Structural Analysis: FEA of offshore topsides performed in Sesam GeniE, MAESTRO, or SACS.
Total Resistance: Sum of frictional, wave-making, and appendage resistance computed for ship powering.
Towing tank: Long basin for resistance and self-propulsion tests.
Transient Vibration: Time-domain dynamic analysis required by IACS UR S11A for whipping in container ships.
Transverse Bulkhead: Watertight structural division addressed by IACS UR S18 in bulk carriers.
Tribon Hull: Hull design module within Tribon M3, predecessor to the AVEVA Hull module.
Tribon M3: Legacy shipbuilding CAD suite from Kockums Computer Systems, foundation of AVEVA Marine.
Tribon Outfit: Outfit design module within Tribon M3, predecessor to AVEVA Outfitting.
Trim Optimization: Operational optimization of draft and trim using CFD-derived performance baselines.
Type approval: Statutory or class approval of equipment design used onboard.

U

UI SC: IACS Unified Interpretation on the SOLAS Convention covering specific implementation issues.
UI SC180: IACS Unified Interpretation aligned with the IGC and IGF codes for gas-fueled ships.
Ultimate Strength Analysis: Nonlinear collapse analysis of hull girder per CSR-BC+OT Chapter 9.
Unified Procedural Requirements: IACS PRs governing class society processes including software approval.
Unified Requirements: IACS URs published as common technical requirements adopted by all IACS members.
Unstructured Mesh: Tetrahedral or polyhedral mesh used by STAR-CCM+, Fluent, and OpenFOAM for ship CFD.
Upper Deck Plating: Strength deck plating subject to longitudinal bending stresses per IACS UR S11.
UR A1: IACS Unified Requirement on equipment for anchoring, mooring, and towing.
UR S1A: IACS Unified Requirement on bulk carrier loading sequence and conditions.
UR-M68: IACS UR on dimensions of propulsion shafts.
URS11: IACS Unified Requirement on longitudinal strength of ships.
URS11A: IACS Unified Requirement on longitudinal strength of container ships.
URS33: IACS Unified Requirement on design wave loads for direct strength analysis of oil tankers.
URS34: IACS Unified Requirement on functional requirements on load cases for direct strength analysis of oil tankers.
URS6: IACS Unified Requirement on the use of steel grades for various hull members.

V

VBM: Vertical Bending Moment, primary load component in CSR-BC+OT and IACS UR S11.
Verification and Validation: Process aligning CFD predictions with measurements per ITTC and AIAA guidelines.
Very Fine Mesh: FEM refinement level used for hot spot stress evaluation in CSR-BC+OT Chapter 9.
Vibration Class Notation: Class notation such as DNV COMF-V addressing onboard vibration comfort.
Viscous Wake Fraction: Effective inflow reduction at the propeller plane used in powering prediction.
VLCC: Very Large Crude Carrier, 200,000-320,000 DWT.
Volume of Fluid: Free surface tracking method used in STAR-CCM+, Fluent, and OpenFOAM.
Volute Casing Analysis: Centrifugal pump casing FEA sometimes performed for marine machinery.
VPP: Velocity Prediction Program used for sailing yacht design coupled with CFD.

W

Wadam: DNV Sesam frequency-domain panel method seakeeping solver.
Wageningen B-series: Open-water propeller series from MARIN.
Wajac: DNV Sesam wave load on jacket structures module.
Wake Field: Velocity field at the propeller plane used in cavitation and propulsion analyses.
WAMIT: Wave Analysis at MIT, boundary element diffraction code widely used in offshore hydrodynamics.
Wasim: DNV Sesam time-domain seakeeping and slamming solver.
Watertight integrity: Standard ABC zebra closure conditions for combat readiness.
Wave Bending Moment: Wave-induced hull girder bending moment per IACS UR S11.
Wave drift force: Mean second-order force in irregular waves.
Wave Energy Spectrum: Statistical wave description such as JONSWAP or Pierson-Moskowitz used in seakeeping.
Wave Scatter Diagram: Joint distribution of significant wave height and period used in spectral fatigue analysis.
Wave-Making Resistance: Resistance component due to ship-generated waves resolved in free surface CFD.
Welding Procedure Specification: Documentation governed by IACS UR W28 and W29 for hull welding.
WhalleyT Plot: Misc; omitted to avoid invented references.
Whipping: Transient hull-girder vibration after a slam.
Wind Heeling Lever: Lever in IS Code weather criterion.
Wind Tunnel Test: Physical test for above-water wind loads complementing CFD studies in STAR-CCM+ and Fluent.
Wing tank: Side tank used in some bulktainer designs.