The Aqwa Suite uses both ASCII files and binary files for its input and output. All the files are defined by a generic name with a 3 character file extension. The maximum length of the filename is 28 characters (32 with the extension). It is strongly recommended that the filename is related to the program used.
The extension names are related to the file type. The following is a list of the file extension names commonly used in Aqwa and Aqwa Graphical Supervisor (AGS).
Note: If you are running Aqwa on Linux, file names are case-sensitive. Aqwa file names are all upper case, including the extensions. Aqwa jobs will produce output files with names in all upper case. On Windows, file names are case-insensitive.
Binary files generated on Linux can be read on Windows systems for post-processing and further data manipulation.
Input Files
DAT -- ASCII file for model definition and analysis parameters. Used by all Aqwa programs.
XFT -- ASCII file defining a time history of external force on a structure or structures in six degrees of freedom in local axis system. Used for time domain analysis (optional).
WVT -- ASCII file defining a time history of wind velocity and direction. Used for time domain analysis (optional).
WHT -- ASCII file defining a time history of water surface elevation. Used for time domain analysis (optional).
LIN -- ASCII file defining ship offsets. Used by AGS Mesh Generator to define hull shape.
MSD -- ASCII file defining the mass distribution of a vessel. Used by AGS for shear force and bending moment calculation.
SFM -- ASCII file defining the mass distribution of a vessel. Used by AGS for splitting force calculation.
EQP -- Binary file containing the equilibrium positions of structures. Created by Aqwa-Librium and used (optional) by Fer, Drift or Naut; see RDEP option (Administration and Calculation Options for the Aqwa Suite).
MOR -- ASCII file for importing mooring configuration in Data Category 14 (optional).
Output Files
LIS -- ASCII file containing model definition/analysis parameters and the analysis results.
MES -- ASCII file containing messages issued during an Aqwa analysis.
QTF -- ASCII file containing fully populated matrix of Quadratic Transfer Functions.
HYD -- Binary file containing the hydrodynamic results calculated in Aqwa-Line. Can be used for further Aqwa analysis.
RES -- Binary file containing the model definition/analysis parameters and the hydrodynamic results calculated in Aqwa-Line. Can be used for further Aqwa analysis or structure visualisation etc in AGS.
EQP -- Binary file containing the equilibrium positions of structures. Created by Aqwa-Librium and used (optional) by Fer, Drift or Naut; see RDEP option (Administration and Calculation Options for the Aqwa Suite).
ENL -- Binary file containing Morison element/nodal loading. Only created for tether analysis, or tube elements at analysis stage 6.
POS -- Binary file containing structures' positions at each time step. Used by AGS for generating animation.
PLT -- Binary file containing Aqwa analysis results. Used by AGS for plotting graphs.
POT -- Binary file containing potentials. Used by AGS or AqwaWave for element pressure calculation.
USS -- Binary file containing source strengths. Used by AqwaWave for Morison force calculation.
SEQ -- Binary file containing the animation of structure motion. Created and used by AGS.
TAB -- ASCII file containing the statistics table from Aqwa-Drift tether analysis.
PAC -- Binary file containing pressures at element centroids. Used by AGS for post-processing involving pressures and Aqwa-Naut for time domain pressure calculation.
VAC -- Binary file containing fluid velocities at element centroids. Used by AGS for wave contour plotting and Aqwa-Naut for time domain pressure calculation of structures with forward speed.
DCP -- Binary file containing dynamic cable profiles at each required time step in Aqwa-Drift/Naut analysis or at structure equilibrium state in multiple mooring configurations and wind/wave definitions in Aqwa-Librium/Fer analysis. Used by AGS for mooring system visualization or animation.
TET -- Binary file containing tether nodal and element responses at each required time step in Aqwa-Drift/Naut analysis or at structure equilibrium state in multiple mooring configurations and wind/wave definitions in Aqwa-Librium analysis.
TPT -- Binary file containing potentials at diffraction element centroids on internal tank surface.
TUS -- Binary file containing source strengths at diffraction element centroids on internal tank surface.
TPC -- Binary file containing pressures at element centroids on internal tank surface.
TVC -- Binary file containing fluid velocities at element centroids on internal tank surface.
MFK -- ASCII file containing mooring forces and stiffness matrices at equilibrium positions from Aqwa-Librium analysis.
PRS -- Binary file that stores panel pressures on external hull and internal tank surfaces, and forces on Morison elements. Created by Aqwa-Naut when pressure output is requested.
AH1 -- ASCII file containing hydrodynamic database (the .HYD file). Created by Aqwa-Line; see the AHD1 option.
FRC -- Binary file that stores structural force components at the required time steps. Created in Stage 6 by Aqwa-Drift/Naut; see Data Record ISEL/LSEL in Data Category 21.
MQT -- Binary file that stores the directional coupling mean drift QTF matrices. Created by Aqwa-Line; see the MQTF option.
PLD – Direct access binary file (.PLT) containing Aqwa analysis results. Used by AGS for plotting graphs.
PLS – Direct access binary file containing the steering information of .PLD. Used by AGS for plotting graphs.
SHB – Binary file containing the shear force and bending moment. Created by AGS, or by Aqwa-Line; see the SFBM option.
SBD – ASCII file containing the shear force and bending moment. Created by Aqwa-Line; see the SFBM option.
PAG -- Binary file containing pressures at the mean free surface grids. Created by AGS, or by Aqwa-Line; see the SEAG Data Record in Data Category 2.
RSS -- Binary file containing significant values of the structure responses. Created by Aqwa-Fer.
ADM -- An ASCII file containing the fluid added mass matrix at the infinite frequency and some other Aqwa model information needed by the Aqwa-Rigid Dynamics co-simulation analysis.