Project Status

The project has been making steady progress with the development of a Prototype version of the VRS Virtual Platform and the finalisation of a preliminary design for the VRS Ropax physical model.

Virtual Platform Prototype

A prototype version of the VRS virtual platform has been developed to test the overall VRS concept as well as increase the understanding of the interactions involved within the system.

The prototype system demonstrated interactions between the integration platform, common model, virtual interaction, inference engine, process controller, simulation tools, and the automatic performance-modelling tool. The system and the interactions are represented within Figure 1. Java and XML were chosen as the two core technologies for the development of the VRS system and proved to be instrumental in enabling the production of the prototype system in such a short timescale.

Figure 1.        Prototype system and interactions

Software was specifically developed for the virtual interaction, the inference engine, the process controller, the tool wrappers, and the performance-modelling tool. An existing integration platform was adapted for this particular application, as well as the use of an XML database for the common model, and tools to support the exporting of displays within the virtual interaction.

The prototype system was tested during development between January and March 2003 using the Internet between France, Greece, Sweden and the UK with the following tools: AVPro, EVE, EVI, SDL surface fairing, and Tribon. The tools were chosen to enable the construction of a process defining the hull-form including early design, fairing, detailed design, general arrangement, and the simulation of evacuation. The system demonstrated that a timely operation using the Internet to support communication could be achieved, that the overall VRS concept was a viable approach to managing distributed design activity, and that the tools and techniques chosen to implement the approach were robust and flexible.

The development of the VRS prototype has resulted in many valuable lessons being learnt and has helped define the scope of the final VRS system, as well as demonstrating proof of concept.

ROPAX Model

The required specification for the ROPAX 2000 model was extremely challenging, the ROPAX had to:

• Accommodate 2000 passengers in 400 cabins
• Achieve a service speed of 38 knots
• Be Capable of a range of 2000 NM with extra

After considering in detail several design solutions including a conventional monohull design and a Trimaran hull the design team developed a for a slender wavepiercing monohull design which meets all the specified requirements.