{"id":64045,"date":"2025-02-20T10:42:56","date_gmt":"2025-02-20T15:42:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/simcenter\/?p=64045"},"modified":"2026-03-26T06:43:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T10:43:43","slug":"ship-noise-and-vibration-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/simcenter\/ship-noise-and-vibration-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"From noisy ship cabins to restful nights: tackling noise and vibrations for smoother sailing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you ever tried sleeping on a ferry? I often travel to Morocco with my family. For those who aren’t familiar, Morocco is the westernmost country in North Africa, just across the Mediterranean from Europe. To get there, we take a ferry from one of the ports in Spain. Depending on where we depart from, the journey can take up to eight hours. We usually choose the night ferry, which allows us to sleep in a cabin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During our most recent trip, something really stood out\u2014the comfort. We slept soundly through the night, almost as if we were at home, barely noticing any noise or vibrations. It was a wonderful experience. The ferry we were on was new, and that made all the difference. In previous travels, however, the story was quite different. The deep, low-frequency vibrations from the ship\u2019s engine used to shake us, making sleep almost impossible. We would arrive at our destination feeling exhausted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Noise and vibration on ships are more than just annoying\u2014they can have a big impact on the safety of the crew, the durability of the ship, and even marine life. Noise can come from things like the engines, machinery, and the movement of water around the ship, while vibrations are often caused by unbalanced rotating parts. These disturbances can travel through the air or the ship’s structure, sometimes causing lasting damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ship engine noise and vibration propagation paths (left) and different ship noise sources (right)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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For the crew and passengers, constant exposure to high levels of noise can lead to hearing loss, make communication difficult, and result in fatigue and stress, all of which increase the risk of accidents. Over time, vibrations can weaken the ship\u2019s materials, loosen key parts, and lead to costly repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it\u2019s not just the ship\u2014underwater noise pollution can also disrupt marine animals, affecting their ability to communicate and navigate. To reduce these risks, strict regulations are in place to limit noise and vibration levels, ensuring the safety of both the crew and the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back at my recent trip to Morocco, I can\u2019t help but think about the design and production journey this new ship has taken, from its initial concept through engineering and testing, all the way to its final delivery. As an engineer at heart and an Industry Specialist for Marine at Siemens Digital Industries Software, I\u2019m very familiar with the advanced tools engineers use to build the ships of the future. It\u2019s your lucky day: my expertise focuses on physical testing. So let me introduce you to some of these fantastic techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Acquire your ship’s noise and vibration data<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve ever traveled on a large ferry, you\u2019ve probably been struck by its immense scale and strength. These impressive vessels can stretch over 300 meters in length and 50 meters in width, driven by one or more massive engines. As an engineer, you might wonder\u2014how can the NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) performance of such a colossal structure be effectively verified and optimized, especially in rough seas or near the intense heat and roar of the engines?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, let\u2019s have a look at one of our solutions: Simcenter SCADAS RS hardware\u2014a next-generation data acquisition system designed precisely for this challenge. Engineered for extreme conditions, it features a rugged, durable design that withstands harsh temperatures and intense vibrations. Its flexible architecture allows for seamless configuration, whether centralized or fully distributed, making it the ideal solution for acquiring NVH data on ships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Simcenter SCADAS RS hardware<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Simcenter SCADAS RS in distributed configuration and remotely controlled for operational data acquisition<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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It\u2019s a truly unique device that provides both wired and wireless access for remote control\u2014perfect for testing near a noisy, heat-intensive ship engine. It also seamlessly integrates into automation processes by automatically uploading data for cloud computing and advanced engineering analysis, significantly enhancing test productivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Understand your ship’s NVH data with advanced analysis techniques <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

So, what can we do with all this data?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once collected, the data undergoes further analysis to extract meaningful insights. During sea trials, for example, it helps verify whether the vessel meets construction specifications, ensuring noise and vibration levels remain within acceptable limits. In case of non-compliance, this or additional data is used to identify the root cause. This is where advanced analysis techniques, such as operational modal analysis (OMA), transfer path analysis (TPA) and torsional vibration analysis come into play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OMA is a powerful tool for understanding a structure\u2019s vibration behavior\u2014such as that of a large ship\u2014under real operational conditions. Unlike traditional modal analysis, which requires knowledge of excitation forces, OMA relies solely on output data. These insights are also invaluable for validating digital twins of the ship, enhancing predictive accuracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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