ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a new model for sea bottom shapes based on Gaussian processes that allow for more complex shapes to be modelled than the currently used smooth-surfaced rock models. The shape of the sea bottom plays a major role in ship damage in grounding accidents. Groundings are among the most common and dangerous maritime accidents. The assumptions for modelling rocks in grounding damage analysis are cones and polynomial functions, which are quite simplified. In practice often more simplified methods than Finite Element Method (FEM) are utilized for grounding damage analysis. The challenge with rocks in particular is that even though they are often somewhat conical, they show large irregularities and often have a rough surface, thus indicating that other models might be better in modelling them than a simple, smooth-surfaced cone, polynomial or the like. In practice often more simplified methods than FEM are utilized for grounding damage analysis.
