Virtual prototyping for maritime crane design and operations

Abstract

This paper presents the implementation of the virtual prototyping system for maritime crane design and operations. The study is designed to bridge the following gaps in maritime crane system simulations. First, the virtual prototyping system introduces an open and flexible platform oriented to overall product and system design, modeling, simulation and visualization. Second, the virtual simulator for operations based on the proposed framework is reinforced by high fidelity models of physics and dynamics. The paper discusses the challenges in virtual prototyping of complex multi-domain systems from the perspectives of modern complex engineering system design, modeling and simulation of multi-domain dynamic systems, large set of data exchange for communication and visualization. The software architecture of the system is based on the application of the functional mock-up interface standard. This utilizes the current available modeling and simulation tools, and allows for the exchange and reuse of models. Simulations in a virtual environment permit the evaluation of multiple trade-offs and alternative solutions from early design stages. As a case study and verification, the knuckle boom crane systems were implemented. The virtual crane simulator proved the effectiveness of the proposed virtual prototyping system in solving the long-existing challenges in simulations of complex multi-domain systems.