Hull forms definition

FSURF provides advanced tools to define the ship surface model based on NURBS formulation. Conventional or special hull forms such as mono-hulls, non symmetric vessels, multi-hulls and oil rigs can be modeled. Appendages of the ship, such as rudder, propeller or bilges can also be defined and treated as a part of the ship main hull or as separated surfaces. The hull definition can either be acomplished by NURBS entities (with main particulars as input data) or the traditional method for fitting and fairing the hull form through a series of interrelated plane curves (frames, buttocks and waterlines). FORAN imports and exports surfaces from other formats (import and export IGES, export DXF, STEP, and other standard formats), and also from third-party proprietary formats.

Lofting, Curvature & Smoothness control

By means of interactive graphic functions, lofting facilities and surface curvature and smoothness controls, the designer can evaluate diverse design alternatives easily and rapidly. A complete set of specific hull transformations allows for an easy generation of hull forms from parent ships. Transformations include block coefficient and centre of buoyancy adjustment, areas curve fitting, pseudo-parallel hulls and scaling and design trim modifications. The possibility of performing quadratic transformations only in one body of the ship (fore or aft) has been incorporated in FSURF.

Automatic drawings generation

A wide range of automatic drawings can be generated: lines drawing, body plan and aft and fore end profiles.

FORAN general arrangement

The new module for the definition of the ship general arrangement supports the design and management of all ship spaces and setting up of the preliminary layout of equipment, weapons and accommodations areas. Most part of the ship is compromised at this stage of the design, where the highest precision and detail specifications are required. The designers may study different alternatives in short periods of time, thanks to the fast and flexible functions available in this module, and to the capability of sharing information with calculation and analysis tools. The possibility of storing the model of ship spaces in the database allows the simultaneous access of different users.

Decks & Bulkheads definition

FORAN offers a comprehensive environment for the definition of deck and bulkhead surfaces of the ship, using interactive graphic commands with a simple parametric definition. Hulls, decks and bulkheads are associated topologically, so that design modifications are automatically propagated to all related elements. Asymmetric or symmetric decks are defined from their geometric parameters (reference depth, type of sheer and camber and others) and discontinuities. Knuckles and steps can also be defined, and the intersection between decks and the hull surface is automatically calculated. In addition, it is possible to generate flat and corrugated bulkheads.

Spaces definition, Capacities & Tonnage

FGA offers the possibility of setting up the ship general arrangement, and obtaining the capacities and centre of gravity, sounding and ullage tables, volumetric grain heeling moments and tonnage. The output is a set of user-configurable reports and drawings. Any ship compartment can be subdivided into subspaces, which can be created selecting the boundary surfaces, defining several sections or parametrically. Complex spaces can be defined by merging subspaces. The topological definition of all these elements ensures that any modification to their limits is automatically applied to the compartment geometry.

HYDROS: Hydrostatic calculations

HYDROS features an extensive and intuitive set of applications to perform the complete calculation of hydrostatic values, Bonjean curves, deadweight scale, stability cross curves, freeboard, floodable and permissible lengths, sectional areas and trim diagrams. International conventions, Regulations, Rules & Resolutions All naval architecture calculations are made in accordance with the latest national and international conventions, regulations, rules and resolutions which are continuously updated in FORAN.

LOAD: Load conditions

LOAD performs the distribution of lightship weight, which can be estimated using the Lloyd´s Register criteria or defined by the user. The following types of cargoes are handled: cargoes in defined spaces, modular cargoes (containers and pallets included), and others. Cargoes can be grouped to simplify the loading condition definition. LOAD performs the required calculations to obtain the equilibrium waterplane for the ship in still water, in a trochoidal wave or in a sinusoidal wave. Asymmetrical loading conditions and the calculation of the necessary cargo density value to obtain required mean draft are also available. It is possible to calculate the static and dynamic stability for heeling angles defined by the user or requested by Regulatory Bodies. Maximum KG complying with stability criteria can also be obtained, as well as the maximum allowable grain heeling moments. LOAD allows to carry out either the longitudinal strength calculations with the ship in still water or in a trochoidal or sinusoidal wave. Shearing forces and bending moment curves are also obtained. As an output, user configurable drawings with the loading conditions and the stability curves and longitudinal strength curves are generated.

FLOOD: Damage stability

FORAN enables an accurate calculation of the flooding conditions (defined as combinations of initial situations and damage conditions) and damage stability according to the deterministic method. Calculations are made using either the added weight or the loss of buoyancy method. Before reaching the final situation after flooding, several intermediate stages of flooding can be studied. Different stability criteria can be checked, including those user defined by means of a complete set of functions which allow the external programming. The equilibrium waterplane, in compliance with corresponding stability criteria, centre of buoyancy position and location of the hull openings after flooding, can be obtained together with graphic representations of the flooded compartments. FLOOD allows to obtain the equilibrium waterplane and the static and dynamic stability curves for the intermediate stages of the flooding.

LAUNCH: Launching & Floating

Complete dynamic calculations and analysis of ship launching over slipway and floating from dry dock processes are featured in FORAN, including graphic representation and static and dynamic stability calculations.

POWER: Powering, Design of propeller, Sternframe & Rudder

FORAN estimates the towing resistance by a number of modern powering prediction methods, including some warship-specific ones. It also provides several possibilities for propeller selection and analysis. The output information includes the main features of the propeller, power-speed curves, prediction for service and trial condition (including trawl condition in trawler ships) and open-water propeller diagrams. Propeller geometry in accordance with classification societies can also be calculated. POWER allows to design interactively the basic particulars of the rudder, the schematic ship stern profile and to estimate the manoeuvrability characteristics.

FSUBD

Subdivision & Damage stability The required calculation of the Attained Subdivision Index 'A' and the Index 'R' for cargo and passenger ships, according to SOLAS, and SOLAS Revised regulations, for Subdivision and Damage Stability, can be done in FSUBD. Depending on the stage of the project, it is possible to execute the two calculations: Initial calculation: in the first steps of the project, using the hull forms and the main deck. It is possible to define a geometric subdivision and automatically obtain a generation of the spaces of the ship Final calculation: in advanced steps of the project, where additional spaces and loading conditions are provided. The module takes into account the intact stability conditions and associates the spaces to the geometric subdivision defined

FDESIGN is a FORAN integrated solution that can be used as a:

• 2D and 3D drawings generator from all FORAN design disciplines: Initial Design, Hull Structure, Outfitting and Electrical. Drawings are generated in FDESIGN directly from the 3D product model. Consistency between the model and the related drawings is ensured, thanks to the continuous update between the 2D entities and the 3D elements. A complete representation for modelled elements is possible with different visualization methods. FDESIGN includes a function to reprocess the drawing after changes in the model, without losing the modifications introduced by the user
• 2D graphic editor: some of the functions available in FDESIGN consist of the possibility to create smart dimensioning, symbols, user-configurable drawing templates, to insert labels and to generate part lists from the drawing information
• Stand-alone drafting tool for the generation of independent drawings: FDESIGN is a 3D solid modeller, with a wide range of functions for the creation of casting parts and other complex pieces.
• FDESIGN may also be used as a complementary tool in conjunction with FSURF for importing and modifying any kind of surfaces from other formats (iges, step, dxf and others).