From the initial concept to final deployment, engineers rely on cutting-edge software tools to simulate and analyze the behavior of floating structures in real-time conditions. In the rapidly evolving world of marine engineering and offshore structural design, precision and performance are paramount. Among these tools, Bentley MOSES Basic stands out as a robust solution tailored for the design, analysis, and simulation of offshore and maritime structures.
Developed by Bentley Systems, a global leader in infrastructure software solutions, MOSES (Multifunction Offshore Structure Engineering Software) is an industry-trusted platform designed to handle the complex challenges of offshore structural engineering. While MOSES offers a wide range of advanced capabilities, the MOSES Basic version is particularly well-suited for engineers and organizations needing a streamlined yet powerful tool to perform hydrostatic and hydrodynamic analysis, motions simulations, and structural assessments of floating vessels and platforms.
This article by Multisoft Systems delves into the core features, capabilities, applications, and benefits of Bentley MOSES Basic training, exploring why it has become a go-to tool for professionals in marine and offshore industries.
What is Bentley MOSES Basic?
Bentley MOSES Basic is a comprehensive software solution for modeling and analyzing the behavior of floating systems under various operational conditions. It focuses on essential functionalities required to conduct hydrostatic and hydrodynamic studies, generate sea-keeping analyses, perform motion simulations, and produce stability assessments.
Although it is a lighter version of the full MOSES suite, MOSES Basic certification retains powerful modeling and simulation capabilities that provide accurate insights into vessel performance, stability, and operability.
Key Features of MOSES Basic
- Hydrostatic Analysis
MOSES Basic enables users to compute the hydrostatic properties of floating structures under different loading conditions. It supports the calculation of buoyancy, draft, trim, and heel — essential parameters in understanding vessel balance and equilibrium.
- Stability Calculations
The software allows naval architects to evaluate vessel stability through righting arm curves (GZ curves), analyzing initial and dynamic stability in compliance with international regulatory standards such as IMO and API.
- Hydrodynamic Analysis
MOSES Basic performs frequency-domain hydrodynamic analyses to assess the response amplitude operators (RAOs) of floating structures. These results are crucial for predicting how structures respond to waves, wind, and current loads.
- Motions Simulation
Engineers can simulate vessel motion in six degrees of freedom (heave, surge, sway, roll, pitch, yaw), providing insights into how environmental conditions influence vessel performance.
- Time-Domain Simulations
With MOSES Basic, users can run time-domain simulations to study transient behaviors of floating bodies, particularly important during complex marine operations such as towing, positioning, and offloading.
- Modeling Capabilities
The software offers robust modeling tools to define vessel geometry, load conditions, ballasting scenarios, mooring configurations, and environmental parameters.
- Graphical Interface
A user-friendly interface with 3D visualization helps engineers build, modify, and analyze vessel models efficiently. MOSES Basic also includes tools for visualizing results through graphs, animations, and 3D models.
- Automation and Customization
The software allows scripting with MOSES command language, facilitating automation of repetitive tasks and custom analysis procedures.
Core Modules in MOSES Basic
Though MOSES Basic does not include all the high-end modules of MOSES Advanced, it provides a comprehensive set of tools through the following core modules:
1. Hull Definition Module
Used to define the geometry of the vessel or offshore platform. This includes hull shapes, compartmentalization, tanks, and structural parts.
2. Load Case Management
Facilitates the creation and analysis of different loading scenarios, including weights, cargo, ballast, and environmental conditions.
3. Stability and Trim
Supports the evaluation of intact and damaged stability conditions. Essential for meeting maritime safety standards.
4. Hydrodynamic Database Generation
Generates hydrodynamic coefficients and Response Amplitude Operators (RAOs) using frequency-domain methods.
5. Motions and Seakeeping Analysis
Used to analyze vessel motion responses to environmental forces such as waves and wind, often crucial for assessing operability and comfort.
Applications of MOSES Basic
MOSES Basic is widely used in the marine and offshore engineering sectors for essential analysis and simulation tasks. It plays a crucial role in naval architecture, helping engineers evaluate hydrostatics, stability, and trim of various floating vessels during the design phase. Offshore engineers utilize MOSES Basic to assess the behavior of floating structures like FPSOs, semi-submersibles, and barges under different environmental conditions. The software is also extensively used for seakeeping analysis, allowing professionals to understand vessel motions and responses to waves, wind, and currents, which is vital for ensuring operability and crew safety.
Additionally, MOSES Basic online training supports simple mooring and ballasting studies, making it suitable for planning marine operations such as towing, installation, and float-over procedures. Its application extends to marine consultancies, shipyards, and academic institutions for simulation-based learning and performance evaluations of offshore structures.
Why Choose Bentley MOSES Basic?
Bentley MOSES Basic stands out as a reliable and efficient tool for engineers and designers involved in offshore and marine projects. It offers a streamlined version of the powerful MOSES suite, focusing on core functionalities like hydrostatic analysis, stability assessment, hydrodynamic response, and motion simulation. One of the primary reasons to choose MOSES Basic is its cost-effectiveness—delivering professional-grade analysis capabilities without the higher investment required for more advanced versions. The software is backed by Bentley Systems, a globally recognized name in infrastructure and engineering solutions, ensuring trust and ongoing support. MOSES Basic certification also features an intuitive user interface, robust modeling tools, and scripting capabilities, making it suitable for both beginners and seasoned professionals. It provides reliable and accurate results aligned with international standards, helping engineers ensure safety and compliance from the early design stages.
Additionally, its compatibility with other Bentley tools like SACS and MAXSURF enhances collaborative workflows across multidisciplinary teams. Whether for educational use, small-scale consultancy projects, or basic offshore structure evaluations, MOSES Basic offers a perfect balance of functionality, usability, and affordability—making it a smart choice for organizations and individuals seeking precision and efficiency in floating structure analysis.
Benefits to Marine and Offshore Professionals
- Conduct early-stage vessel evaluations and modify designs based on accurate hydrostatic and hydrodynamic insights.
- Identify potential stability or motion issues before they arise during real-world operations.
- Automatically generate reports and simulations in accordance with international maritime regulations.
- Provide clients and stakeholders with visual simulations and performance reports that enhance decision-making.
- Ideal for training students and junior engineers on the fundamental principles of offshore structural analysis using professional-grade tools.
Who Should Use MOSES Basic?
- Naval Architects
- Marine Engineers
- Offshore Structural Analysts
- Ship Design Consultants
- Academics and Researchers
- Engineering Students
- Offshore Installation Contractors
Integration with Bentley Ecosystem
One of the advantages of using Bentley MOSES Basic is its seamless integration with other Bentley software solutions such as:
- SACS – For structural analysis and design of offshore platforms.
- MAXSURF – For hull modeling and initial design of marine vessels.
- OpenWindPower – For offshore wind platform simulation and analysis.
This interoperability enhances the overall engineering workflow, allowing multi-disciplinary teams to collaborate effectively and efficiently.
Conclusion
Bentley MOSES Basic is a powerful, accessible, and industry-proven solution for hydrostatic, hydrodynamic, and seakeeping analysis of floating marine and offshore structures. Whether you’re a naval architect evaluating vessel stability, or an offshore engineer analyzing platform motion, MOSES Basic training delivers the tools and accuracy you need without the overhead of advanced features you may not require.
Its blend of ease-of-use, cost-effectiveness, and scalability makes it an ideal choice for both entry-level and seasoned professionals in the marine engineering domain. As offshore projects continue to grow in complexity and scale, having a reliable simulation tool like MOSES Basic ensures safety, efficiency, and compliance throughout the lifecycle of a floating structure. Enroll in multisoft Systems now!