Climatics » Green Water Loading Testing per MIL-HDBK-2036

At E-Labs, we can subject your systems to high-volume, high-force water loading under controlled conditions — “a lot of water,” intentionally — to verify they can survive in extreme marine environments. We simulate real sea impact on deck equipment to validate safety, durability, and compliance per MIL-HDBK-2036.

Green water loading occurs when waves or spray sweep over a ship’s deck or structure, delivering sudden, high-impact water mass that can stress equipment. This phenomenon is especially dangerous in rough seas and must be considered in the design and validation of maritime systems. By applying rigorous testing, you can validate that your systems remain functional, structurally sound, and safe under the most aggressive marine conditions.

Why Green Water Loading Testing Matters

Failing to test for these loads can lead to:

• Damage or dislodgement of deck-mounted equipment (e.g. antennas, sensors, weapon systems)
• Loss of mission-critical functions such as communications, navigation, or propulsion
• Unexpected structural stresses, fatigue, or failure
• Increased maintenance, downtime, or risk to personnel

Our Testing Capabilities & Approach

• Tailored Test Plans - We define impact loads, wave heights, spray volumes, and durations based on your operating profile.
• Full-Scale Simulation - Our facilities recreate momentum, water volume, and impact forces rather than mild splashes.
• Instrumentation & Measurement - We monitor forces, strain, displacement, system performance, and recovery metrics.
• From Planning through Reporting - We offer test design, validation, execution, post-test analysis, and recommendations.

Typical Applications

Green water loading testing is ideal for:

• Deck-mounted electronics, antennas, radars
• Weapons systems or sensor pods on ships
• Exposed instrumentation on offshore platforms
• Vessels with superstructure-mounted systems
• Any equipment forecast to experience over-deck water loads

MIL-HDBK-2036

MIL-HDBK-2036 is a military handbook that provides guidance on environmental stress screening (ESS) for aerospace and defense equipment. Specifically, it outlines procedures for subjecting equipment to various environmental conditions to ensure reliability and performance in harsh environments.

Though MIL-HDBK-2036 doesn't directly address address green water loading testing, it does refer to the impact of large waves hitting a ship or offshore structure, causing water to wash over the deck or structure. This type of testing typically falls under naval architecture and marine engineering standards rather than aerospace and defense equipment testing covered by MIL-HDBK-2036.

For green water loading testing, relevant standards and guidelines would typically come from maritime classification societies (like ABS, DNV, or Lloyd's Register) or specific naval standards that define the conditions and procedures for testing structures against such environmental loads. These standards would detail how to simulate and measure the effects of green water loading on ships or offshore platforms.

Contact E-Labs today for Green Water Loading testing that replicates real sea impact events with accurate, verifiable results.