A Unified Computational Method for Simulating Dynamic Behavior of Planing Vessels

High speed planing hulls have complex hydrodynamic behaviors. The trim angle and drafts are very sensitive to speed and location of the center of gravity. Therefore, motion simulation for such vessels needs a strong coupling between rigid body motions and hydrodynamic analysis. In addition, free surface should be predicted with good accuracy for each time step. In this paper, velocity and pressure fields are coupled by use of the fractional step method. On the basis of integration of the two-phase viscous flow induced stresses over the hull, acting loads (forces and moments) are calculated. With the strategy of boundary-fitted body-attached mesh and calculation of 6-DoF motions in each time step, time history of ship motions including displacements, speeds and accelerations are evaluated. For the demonstration of the software capabilities, circular cylinder slamming is simulated as a simple type of water slamming. Then, a high-speed planing catamaran is investigated in the case of steady forward motion. All of the results are in good concordance with experimental data. The present method can be widely implemented in design as well as in performance prediction of high-speed vessels.     

A numerical modeling of hydrodynamic characteristics of various planing hull forms

A numerical algorithm based on the boundary element method (BEM) is presented for predicting the hydrodynamic characteristics of the various planing hull forms. The boundary integral equation is derived using Green's theorem on the wetted body surface and the free surface. The ventilation function at the transom is estimated with Doctor's empirical formula. This function is defined as the transom zone free surface boundary condition. The combined boundary integral equation and modified free surface boundary condition are simultaneously solved to determine the dipole on the wetted hull surface and the source on the free surface. The method is applied to investigate three examples of planing hulls, which include flat-plates, as well as wedge-shaped and variable deadrise planing hulls. Their hydrodynamic characteristics are calculated for different speeds. Computational results are presented and compared with existing theories and experiments. On the whole, the agreement between the present method and the selected experimental and numerical data is satisfactory.     

Numerical investigation of wave elevation and bottom pressure generated by a planing hull in finite-depth water

A numerical investigation of the bottom pressure and wave elevation generated by a planing hull in finite-depth water is presented. While the existing literature addresses the free-surface deformation and pressure field at the seafloor independently, this work proposes a direct comparison between the two hydrodynamic quantities. The dependence of the pressure disturbances at the ocean floor from the waves generated at the free-surface by a planing hull is studied for several values of both the depth and hull Froude numbers. The methodology employed is Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH), a numerical technique based on the discretization of the continuum fields of hydrodynamics through mesh-less particles. The SPH code herein chosen is initially validated against experimental data for transom-stern flow. Subsequently, numerical simulations are presented for a planing hull in high-speed regimes. The results show a direct correlation between surface wave dynamics and hydrodynamic pressure disturbances at the seafloor as the value of the Froude number is varied. This is assessed by studying the inverse dependence of the low-pressure wake angle with the Froude number and by comparison of SPH results with similar works in the cited literature.     

Experimental and numerical hydrodynamic analysis of a stepped planing hull

This work addresses the experimental and numerical study of a stepped planing hull and the related fluid dynamics phenomena typically occurring in the stepped hull in the unwetted aft body area behind the step. In the last few years, the interest in high-speed planing crafts, with low weight-to-power ratios, has been increasing significantly, and, in such context, naval architects have been orienting toward the stepped hull solution. Stepped planing hulls ensure good dynamic stability and seakeeping qualities at high speeds. This is mainly due to the reduction of the wetted area, which is caused by the flow separation occurring at the step. This paper presents the experimental results of towing tank tests in calm water on a single-step hull model, which is the first model of a new systematic series. The same flow conditions are analyzed via Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and Large Eddy Simulations (LES), with different moving mesh techniques (overset/chimera and morphing grid), performed at different model speeds. The numerical results are in accordance with experimental data, and overset/chimera grid is found to be the best approach between the analyzed ones. The flow patterns obtained numerically through LES on a refined grid appear similar to the ones observed in towing tank investigations through photographic acquisitions. These flow patterns are dominated by a rather complex 3D arrangement of vortices originating from air spillage at both sides of the step. The understanding of these phenomena is important for the effectiveness of stepped hull designs.     

The influence of hull form on the motions of high speed vessels in head seas

Prediction of ship motions at high Froude number is carried out using a time domain strip theory in which the unsteady hydrodynamic problem is treated in terms of the motion of fixed strips of the water as hull sections pass through it. The Green function solution is described and the integration of the ship motion carried out by an averaging method to ensure stability of the solution. The method is validated by comparison with tank data for conventional slender hulls suitable for catamarans, small water area twin hull (SWATH) forms and hulls suitable for high-speed monohulls. Motion computations are then carried out for 14 designs with an operating speed of 40 kts and a displacement of 1000 tonnes. The vessels are assumed not to be fitted with motion control systems for the purposes of this comparative study. Motion sickness incidence is predicted to rise to between 42 and 72% depending upon the hull design in 3 m head seas of average period 7.5 s. MSI values reduce in smaller seas with a shorter average period to be less than 15% in all cases in 1m seas with an average period of 5.5 s.     

基于Savitsky法滑行艇航行姿态参数影响研究

高速滑行艇处于滑行状态时的阻力性能一直是滑行艇水动力性能研究的重点和难点。首先采用半经验半理论的Savitsky法对棱柱形滑行艇的航行姿态与阻力进行研究分析,计算纵倾结果与试验结果吻合良好。然后改变滑行艇的长宽比、重心纵向位置与底部斜升角参数,进一步研究三种参数变化对滑行艇航行姿态与阻力性能的影响。研究结果表明:基于半经验半理论的Savitsky方法可用于棱柱形滑行艇的阻力性能分析;在高速阶段,长宽比、重心纵向位置与底部斜升角参数对阻力影响较大。     

Neumann-Michell theory-based multi-objective optimization of hull form for a naval surface combatant

A numerical multi-objective optimization procedure is proposed here to describe the development and application of a practical hydrodynamic optimization tool, OPTShip-SJTU. Three components including hull form modification module, hydrodynamic performance evaluation module and optimization module consist of this tool. The free-form deformation (FFD) method and shifting method are utilized as parametric hull surface modification techniques to generate a series of realistic hull forms subjected to geometric constraints, and the Neumann-Michell (NM) theory is implemented to predict the wave drag. Moreover, NSGA-II, a muti-objective genetic algorithm, is adopted to produce pareto-optimal front, and kriging model is used for predicting the total resistance during the optimization process to reduce the computational cost. Additionally, the analysis of variance (ANOVA) method is introduced to represent the influence of each design variable on the objective functions. In present work, a surface combatant DTMB Model 5415 is used as the initial design, and optimal solutions with obvious drag reductions at specific speeds are obtained. Eventually, three of optimal hulls are analyzed by NM theory and a RANS-based CFD solver naoe-FOAM-SJTU respectively. Numerical results confirm the availability and reliability of this multi-objective optimization tool.     

Ship hull drag reduction using bottom air injection

The idea of bottom air injection to reduce ship hull resistance is not new. Early patents envisioned planing hull applications. Recent planing hull tests speed realized an increase of 7–12 knots. River barges and ship fitted with an air injection system results are presented to show a 10–15% reduction in the frictional resistance. Graphs for making initial estimates for displacement hulls with bottom air injection are presented. It is clear from these results that improvements in high speed planing catamarans and full form hull resistance can be realized by using bottom air injection.     

A Unified Computational Method for Simulating Dynamic Behavior of Planing Vessels

High speed planing hulls have complex hydrodynamic behaviors. The trim angle and drafts are very sensitive to speed and location of the center of gravity. Therefore, motion simulation for such vessels needs a strong coupling between rigid body motions and hydrodynamic analysis. In addition, free surface should be predicted with good accuracy for each time step. In this paper, velocity and pressure fields are coupled by use of the fractional step method. On the basis of integration of the two-phase viscous f...     

Experimental and numerical investigations on hydrodynamic and aerodynamic characteristics of the tunnel of planing trimaran

The planing trimaran possesses distinctive hybrid hydrodynamic and aerodynamic performance due to the presence of tunnel. The research described in this paper was carried out based on the observation of wave characteristics of a planing trimaran model in towing tests, in which the resistance drops as soon as the wave surface separates from tunnel roof. In order to gain a deeper insight into the relationship between wave flow and forces in tunnel region, a comprehensive series of viscous CFD simulations considering free-surface and 2-DOF motion of the hull (heave and pitch) have been performed for the tested model at the volume based Froude numbers ranging from 3.16 to 5.87. The calculated results were validated by comparison with experimental data and showed good agreement. Numerical results of wave contours, longitudinal wave cuts and lifting force distributions at the calculated speeds were presented for the analysis of ventilation process in tunnel region and the corresponding variation of tunnel forces. It is found that, for the speeds higher than Froude number of 4.52, the aerodynamic forces provide major tunnel lift and mainly act on the straight section of the tunnel. And, therefore, numerical simulations of two modified models have also been performed for the analysis of influence of straight section length on the hydrodynamic and aerodynamic performance of planing trimaran.     

Theoretical prediction of running attitude of a semi-displacement round bilge vessel at high speed

Running attitudes of semi-displacement vessels are significantly changed at high speed and thus have an effect on resistance performance and stability of the vessel. There have been many theoretical approaches about the prediction of running attitudes of high-speed vessels in calm water. Most of them proposed theoretical formulations for the prismatic hard-chine planing hull. In this paper, running attitudes of a semi-displacement round bilge vessel are theoretically predicted and verified by high-speed model tests. Previous calculation methods for hard-chine planing vessels are extended to be applied to semi-displacement round bilge vessels. Force and moment components acting on the vessel are estimated in the present iteration program. Hydrodynamic forces are calculated by ‘added mass planing theory’, and near-transom correction function is modified to be suitable to a semi-displacement vessel. Next, ‘plate pressure distribution method’ is proposed as a new hydrodynamic force calculation method. Theoretical pressure model of the 2-dimensional flat plate is distributed on the instantaneous waterplane corresponding to the attitude of the vessel, and hydrodynamic force and moment are estimated by integration of those pressures. Calculations by two methods show good agreements with experimental results.     

Multiple criteria optimization applied to high speed catamaran preliminary design

The demand for high-speed craft (mainly catamarans) used as passenger vessel has increased significantly in the recent years. Looking towards the future and trying to respond to the increasing requirement, high-speed crafts international market is passing through deep changes. Different types of high-speed crafts are being used for passenger transport. However, catamarans and monohulls have been the main choice not only for passenger vessel but also as ferryboat.Generally speaking, the efficient hydrodynamic hull shapes, engine improvements, and lighter hull structures using aluminum and composite materials make possible the increase in cruising speed.The high demand for catamarans are due to its proven performance in calm waters, large deck area compared to monohull crafts and higher speed efficiency using less power. Although the advantages aforementioned, the performance of catamaran vessels in wave conditions still needs to be improved.The high-speed crafts (HSC) market is demanding different HSC designs and a wide range of dimensions focusing on lower resistance and power for higher speed. Therefore, the hull resistance optimization is a key element for a high-speed hull success.In addition to that, trade-off high-speed catamaran (HSCat) design has been improved to achieve main characteristics and hull geometry. This paper presents a contribution to HSCat preliminary design phase. The HSCat preliminary design problem is raised and one solution is attained by multiple criteria optimization technique.The mathematical model was developed considering: hull arrangement (area and volume), lightweight material application (aluminum hull), hull resistance evaluation (using a slender body theory), as well as wave interference effect between hulls, calculated with 3D theory application. Goal programming optimization system was applied to solve the HSCat preliminary design.Finally this paper includes an illustrative example showing the mathematical model and the optimization solution. An HSCat passenger inland transport in Amazon area preliminary design was used as case study. The problem is presented, the main constrains analyzed and the optimum solution shown. Trade off graphs was also included to highlight the mathematical model convergence process.     

A combined method for the hydrodynamic characteristics of planing crafts

The prediction of the total resistance of planing crafts at high speeds is very important. In this paper, a combined method is investigated for determining the hydrodynamic characteristics of planing crafts in the calm water. The study consists of a potential-based boundary element method (BEM) for the induced pressure resistance, the boundary layer theory for the frictional resistance and practical method for the spray resistance. The planing surface is represented by a number of elements with constant velocity potential at each element. The unknown-induced pressure is obtained by using the free surface elevation condition and the Kutta condition at the transom stern. Hydrodynamic-induced resistance and lift are determined by the calculated dynamic pressure distributions. The boundary layer analysis method is based on calculations of the momentum integral equation applied to obtain the frictional resistance. A particular practical approach is introduced to present the region of the upwash geometry for the spray. A numerical program has been developed for the present research and applied to the hull form of the craft. Four different hull forms of Series 62 model 4666 planing craft are presented. It is shown that the present combined method is efficient and the results are in good agreement with the experimental measurements over a wide range of volumetric Froude numbers.     

The analysis of tandem hull vessel motion in waves

This paper attempts to provide a better understanding of the hydrodynamic behavior of a tandem hull form in a floating production platform application where high deck payload capacity and low wave induced motions of this vessel are primary design goals. A simplified hydrodynamic analysis and a more representative radiation and diffraction theory based hydrodynamic analysis are used for wave induced forces and motions. The analysis results are compared with model test results to deduce principal features of these special purpose hull configurations. The motion responses in different wave headings evaluated from the complicated diffraction analysis are compared and discussed in some detail.     

Assessment of URANS surface effect ship models for calm water and head waves

Surface effect ship (SES) air cushion and seal models are implemented in an URANS hydrodynamics solver. The air cushion is modeled either as a prescribed pressure patch, or as a compressible isothermal/adiabatic ideal stagnant air with fan and leakage flows. The seals are either discretized as hinged bodies or modeled as 2D planing surfaces with hydrodynamic interaction. Verification and validation studies are performed using T-Craft experimental data for calm water resistance, sinkage and trim at Froude number (Fr) = 0.1–0.6; impulsive heave and pitch decay at Fr = 0; and wave-induced resistance and motion predictions in head waves at Fr = 0 and 0.6. The compressible air cushion model with fan and leakage flows perform better than those without the fan and leakage flows and the prescribed pressure patch model. The hinged seal model performs better than the 2D planing surface model, but is computationally expensive for time accurate simulations. Therefore, the 2D planing surface model is used for the validation studies. SES simulations on grids with 5.3 M cells show grid verification intervals of 6%, which are comparable to those reported for displacement and semi-planing hull studies on similar grid sizes. On an average calm water and impulsive motion predictions compare within 8.5% of the experimental data, and wave-induced motion predictions show somewhat larger error of 13.5%. The errors levels are mostly comparable to those for displacement and semi-planing and planing hulls. The study identifies that most critical advancement needed for SES simulations is the seal modeling including fluid structure interaction.     

Supercritical planning hulls

This paper gives an overview of the development of the supercritical planing hull concept during the last two decades. Our starting point was the body of theoretical and tank testing work on supercritical displacement ships which was completed by Lewis and others by 1960. In 1964 we launched a manned model small waterplane twin hull (SWATH) craft having a very low pitch stiffness, and thus very little pitching motion at wave encounter frequencies above resonance. A second craft was launched the following year, after which we changed the emphasis of our program to the higher speeds associated with planning craft. Planning catamarans occupied us between 1967 and 1971, when the first Sea Knife monohull supercritical planning hull was launched. The most recent Sea Knife is 34 ft L.O.A., displaces 16,000 lb with full fuel and crew, has been timed at 80 mph in sea state 3, and (from model tests) can do the same in sea state 4 with a comfortable ride. We conclude that supercritical planing hulls are very suitable for high speed ferries, patrol craft and crewboats, and that the technology is now mature.     

An investigation on the vertical motion sickness characteristics of a high-speed catamaran ferry

Low frequent motions of vessel may cause motion sickness in rough seas. These undesirable effects induce fatigue of crews during the navigation. The motion sickness is always an important criterion for the high-speed craft design. Modern ferry designs have been marketed with a great emphasis on the seakeeping performance. This research has been carried out by investigating the results on the vertical motion sickness incidence (MSI) study for a 40 m wave-piecing catamaran at seas. The primary purpose of this research is to investigate the vertical motion sickness characteristics of a high-speed catamaran ferry. Two mathematical models, three-dimensional translating–pulsating source distribution technique and three-dimensional pulsating source distribution technique, are used for predicting the vertical acceleration responses of the wave-piecing catamaran in oblique waves. The comparison between numerical predictions and experimental data shows a good agreement except that around the pitch resonance region in FP vertical acceleration motions. Based on the experimental observation, the discrepancies may be caused by the nonlinear effects of centre bow during large pitch motions in waves. The comfort assessments are based on the ISO-2631/1997 standard with the hydrodynamic analysis for determining the acceleration levels in different locations on the vessel. The effects of seating location, wave heading and duration of motion exposure on seasickness are discussed.     

Comparison of numerical solution and semi-empirical formulas to predict the effects of important design parameters on porpoising region of a planing vessel

Stability of the marine vessels in different conditions is one of the most important problems in the design of a planing vessel. In this research, the effects of some important design parameters (mass, longitudinal center of mass, deadrise angle, and length) of DTMB 62 model 4667-1 planing hull on the drag and also on the longitudinal dynamic stability (porpoising) are investigated in the velocity range of 2.12–8.486 m/s in calm water. In this paper, both numerical simulation of Reynolds Average Naiver Stokes (RANS) equations and semi-empirical formulas of Savitsky are used to analyze the motion of a 4667 planing vessel in calm water with two degrees of freedom (2DOF). For this purpose a finite volume, ANSYS-FLUENT, code is used to solve the Navier-Stokes equations for the simulation of the flow field around the vessel. In addition, an explicit VOF scheme and SST- Kω model is used with dynamic mesh scheme to capture the interface of a two-phase flow and to model the turbulence respectively, in 2DOF model (heave and pitch). Also, the results of both methods are compared with each other. According to the present results, changing the aspect ratio of the vessel and also the longitudinal center of gravity have the most effect on the porpoising region.     

Numerical analysis of the influence of fixed hydrofoil installation position on seakeeping of the planing craft

This paper analyzes the hydrodynamic performance of a planing craft with a fixed hydrofoil in regular waves. Numerical simulations are carried out based on a RANS-VOF solver to study the hydrodynamic performance of the planing craft and the influence of the fixed hydrofoil on its seakeeping. To validate the numerical method, a series of hydrodynamic experiments of a bare planing craft without the hydrofoil were carried out, from which the seakeeping performance of the planing craft was recorded, the numerical method based on overset grid was compared with the experiment and verified reliable. Eight hydrofoil design cases were then studied, whereby, their seakeeping performance in regular wave conditions were predicted through the numerical method which has been verified reliable and compared with each other. Effects of hydrofoil parameters, such as angle of attack and installation height, on the seakeeping performance were investigated. Finally, the suitable installation parameters which can optimize the performance of hydrofoil and reduce the negative influence are verified. The influence of the speed on the effect of the hydrofoil and the flow field around the planing craft are also investigated.     

Time domain three-dimensional fully nonlinear computations of steady body–wave interaction problem

Three-dimensional fully nonlinear waves generated by moving disturbances with steady forward speed without motions are solved using a mixed Eulerian–Lagrangian method in terms of an indirect boundary integral method and a Runge–Kutta time marching approach which integrates the fully nonlinear free surface boundary conditions with respect to time.A moving computational window is used in the computations by truncating the fluid domain (the free surface) into a computational domain. The computational window maintains the computational domain and tracks the free surface profile by a node-shifting scheme applied within it. An implicit implement of far field condition is enforced automatically at the truncation boundary of the computational window.Numerical computations are applied to free surface waves generated by Wigley and Series 60 hulls for the steady problem. The present numerical results are presented and compared with existing linear theory, experimental measurements, and other numerical nonlinear computations. The comparisons show satisfactory agreements for these hydrodynamic problems.