| Abstract | Both computational structural dynamics ~CSD! and computational fluid dynamics ~CFD! have come together to empower offshore structural engineers to forecast and enhance the performance of various structures designs. Equally important, they enable researchers and scientists to experiment with a wide range of "what-if" scenarios for risk assessments, accident scenario investigations, and fragility analyses. The true value of any computational model is determined by both the accuracy of the results of the simulations and our ability to interpret all of the significant information contained in those results. To a large extent, the accuracy of the results can be assured via verification and validation analyses ~V&V analyses!, also known as numerical uncertainty analyses. The ability to find out and understand the effects of the physical phenomena/parameters that control the overall behavior of an offshore system depends, to a large extent, on the visualization tools used to view the results. Without strong visualization tools, it might be difficult to recognize the existence of problems or inefficiencies within a given design. |
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