Deterministic and probabilistic methods applied to damage stability

This paper reviews briefly the historic development of deterministic and probabilistic methods in the context of damage stability. Deterministic methods are also shown to include innovative approaches such as time domain simulation of progressive flooding in calm waters and in waves. Probabilistic methods, apart from the new harmonized regulations based on the probabilistic concept, are shown to include also Monte Carlo simulation techniques to assess ship's survivability in damage condition. The probabilistic regulations are employed within a context of optimization of ship's subdivision. These various and complementary approaches to the study of the damage stability of ships have all been considered in research carried out by the author and clearly points towards probabilistic and performance-based assessment methods rather then the traditional deterministic and prescriptive methods.