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Simulating Genesis: Noah’s Ark

Design of Noah’s Ark

What’s Involved in this Research?

Noah’s ark is being analyzed in terms of the process similar to analyzing modern ships. We use computer simulations to study certain attributes that engineers use to design today’s ships. Interestingly, Noah’s ark has been shown to be a very stable, safe, and sure vessel in the water even with large waves that could have reached up to 500 km.

Each structural entity like a car, ship, or plane is designed with both stiffness and strength in mind. For example, when a car is designed, the driver seat is designed for no vibrations; hence, the stiffness is very critical. Regarding strength, when a car crashes, the strength and ductility are the key variables. Essentially, engineers do not want passengers to get sick from vibrations nor hurt in a crash.


How Students Benefit

By understanding modeling, computational analysis, and experimental procedures, a student will learn how the scientific method is used to analyze a design or engineering product that is structural in nature. Several undergraduate and graduate students have conducted research on this project, which include the following topics:

  • Finite element simulations quantified the resonant frequencies and mode shapes of Noah’s ark.
  • Experimental modal analysis to validate the resonant frequencies and mode shapes of Noah’s ark that the simulations predicted. The results showed that humans and animals would not get sick from the resonating frequencies.
  • Experimental corrosion testing of different wood pieces that could have represented gopher wood tested for strength after different times in water and saltwater. The results showed that the wood was strong enough even in a strongly corroded environment like salt water over a year’s time.
  • Finite element simulations of Noah’s ark being slammed by waves showed no damage or fracture.

Research Professor

Mark Horstemeyer
B.S., M.S., Ph.D.
Dean
Google Scholar Profile


Impact on Society

This kind of work validates the record of Noah’s ark in the Bible, thus giving another reason to believe the Bible.


Articles

Horstemeyer, M.F., Sherburn, J., Polk, D. and Bryan, A., 2008. Structural dynamic stability of Noah’s Ark. In Proceedings of the sixth international conference on creationism (pp. 503-510).

Prabhu, R., Horstemeyer, M.F. and Brewer, W., 2008. Ocean Circulation velocities over the continents during Noah’s flood. In Proceedings of the Sixth International Conference on Creationism (pp. 247-254).

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