Parametric roll instability and roll reduction methods in oblique head seas
Volume
77
Issue number
4
Article number
77414
Received
05 March 2026
Received in revised form
10 June 2026
Accepted
14 July 2026
Available online
04 September 2026
Authors
Liu Liang1 *, Luo Ruifeng1,2,3, Chao Shifang1,2, Yu Fuqiang1,2, Zhang Baoji4, Zhang Hao4, Gong Jiaye4, Liu Jie5
1Marine Engineering Research Institute, Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., Shanghai, 200125, China
2National Engineering Research Center for Offshore Heavy Lift and Pipelay Core Equipment, Shanghai, 201913, China
3School of Ocean and Civil Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
4College of Ocean Science and Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, 201306, China
5Ulsan Ship and Ocean College, Ludong University, Yantai, 264025, China
Corresponding author email
Abstract
Numerical studies on parametric roll have mainly focused on head and following seas, whereas parametric roll in oblique head seas remains less fully understood due to the coupled effects of roll, sway, yaw, and the propulsion-steering system. In this study, a CFD-based numerical framework is developed for predicting parametric roll of a self-propelled KCS ship in oblique head seas, considering the coupled interactions among the hull, rudder, and propeller. The effects of model speed and wave heading on parametric-roll responses are investigated, and two mitigation strategies are examined, namely passive roll reduction using a bilge keel and active avoidance through speed control. The results show that parametric roll in oblique head seas is highly sensitive to model speed and wave heading. The roll response becomes pronounced when the encounter condition falls within the parametric-roll-sensitive range, whereas it is significantly weakened when the ship moves away from this range. Wave headings closer to head seas correspond to a more critical parametric-roll region. The bilge keel suppresses roll growth by increasing roll damping and reducing the roll moment, while speed control mitigates the nonlinear response by adjusting the encounter frequency. The present study demonstrates that CFD can be used not only to identify parametric-roll occurrence, but also to support the development of passive mitigation and active operational guidance for self-propelled ships in oblique head seas.
Keywords
Parametric roll, Self-propelled, Coupling effects, Oblique-wave, Roll-reduction