CFD SIMULATION OF MOTION RESPONSES OF A TRIMARAN IN REGULAR HEAD WAVES

CFD has proved to be an effective method in solving unsteady Reynolds–Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations for analysing ships in free surface viscous flow. The research reported in this paper is intended to develop a better understanding of the parameters influencing high-speed trimaran motions responses. Variations of gridding system and time step have been investigated and reliability analysis was performed in solving the RANS equations. Different turbulence models were investigated, and the SST Menter K Omega turbulence model proved a more accurate model than Realizable K-epsilon model. In order to validate the CFD method, the results of the motions response of a high- speed trimaran are compared against a set of experimental and numerical results from a 1.6 m trimaran model tested in various head seas conditions. The results suggest that CFD offers a reliable method for predicting pitch and heave motions of trimarans in regular head waves when compared to traditional low speed strip theory methods. Unlike strip theory, the effect of breaking waves, hull shape above waterline and green seas are considered in CFD application. A wave resonance phenomenon was observed and wave deformation as a result of wave-current-wind interaction in CFD was identified as the main source of discrepancy. The results from this work form the basis for future analysis of trimaran motions in oblique seas for developing a better understanding of the parameters influencing the seakeeping response, as well as passenger comfort.

Full-Scale CFD Analysis of Double-M Craft Seakeeping Performance in Regular Head Waves

This study presents the full-scale resistance and seakeeping performance of an awarded Double-M craft designed as a 15 m next-generation Emergency Response and Rescue Vessel (ERRV). For this purpose, the Double-M craft is designed by comprising the benchmark Delft 372 catamaran with an additional center and two side hulls. First, the resistance and seakeeping analyses of Delft 372 catamaran are simulated on the model scale to verify and compare the numerical setup for Fr = 0.7. Second, the seakeeping performance of the full-scale Double-M craft is examined at Fr = 0.7 in regular head waves (λ/L = 1 to 2.5) for added resistance and 2-DOF motion responses. The turbulent flow is simulated by the unsteady RANS method with the Realizable Two-Layer k-ε scheme. The calm water is represented by the flat VOF (Volume of Fluid) wave, while the incident long waves are represented by the fifth-order Stokes wave. The residual resistance of the Double-M craft is improved by 2.45% compared to that of the Delft 372 catamaran. In the case of maximum improvement (at λ/L = 1.50), the relative added resistance of the Double-M craft is 10.34% lower than the Delft 372 catamaran; moreover, the heave and pitch motion responses were 72.5% and 35.5% less, respectively.

NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF INTERCEPTOR EFFECT ON SEA KEEPING BEHAVIOUR OF PLANING HULL ADVANCING IN REGULAR HEAD WAVES

In this paper an attempt has been made to assess the capability of numerical algorithm based on Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) for predicting the motion characteristics of the planing hull in calm water and regular waves. The focus of the present study is the impact of interceptors on the sea keeping quality of a planing vessel investigated through the application of numerical methods. The wave properties such as wavelength and wave height are taken into consideration to investigate the effect of wave steepness on vessel response. It is found that numerical data can efficiently simulate the motion attitude and the hydrodynamic characteristics of planing craft in regular head waves. The planing hull with and without interceptor fitted at the transom is simulated in numerical wave tank. The results show reduction in heave and pitch motions which gave favorable sea keeping behavior for the hull fitted with interceptor. The numerical solution is useful for the preliminary prediction of navigation safety during sailing.