Ship Hull Form Optimization: A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Approach

Abstract

Performance of ship resistance and other propulsion characteristics greatly depend on ships' hull form. However, design considerations based on range of hull modifications can be practically limited by material and time resources, hence the need for computational optimization techniques based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). In this paper, hull form of a parent vessel: single screw supply vessel was screen designed and then sequentially optimized for total resistance and wave height through the application of CFD technique. The modelling was done using ANSYS ® , CAESES ® and NAVCAD ® workbench. Input parameters included moulded beam, steepness of stem and length overall. These were the basis for parametric variations of hull forms during optimization. The optimization processes (based on turbulent flows) lasted for about two hours. A model of the optimized hull was built and tested in marine towing tank with appendages including propeller and rudder at respective model speeds in standard conditions. Towing tests showed that the optimized ship hull exhibited low resistance and decreased wave height in comparison with parent hull. The robustness of CFD technique particularly for stern to stem hull modification was further established.

Comparative Study of Ship Resistance and Fuel Consumption between Axe Bow and Moor Deep Ram Bow using CFD Method

“…Bow and ship modeling are designed by using Maxsurf modeler while the resistance will be calculated by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) Numeca. The CFD analysis is increasingly being used to analyze the optimal hull shape by various methods [12][13][14][15][16]. The result of this method is practically used in the preliminary design phase to predict the ship resistance and engine power requirement [17,18].…”

Investigating the Comparison of Ship Resistance Components Between U and v-Shaped Hulls

“…Hull U Hull V modification of the bulbous bow shape by Choi [37] and Kleinsorge et al [11], the modification of hull shape by Eberechukwu et al [10], and the work of Jung and Kim [38], Chrismianto et al [39], and Fitriadhy et al [40].…”

“…Wang and Lutsey [3], as well as Molland et al [4], have described several methods to increase the efficiency of energy use on ships. These methods include weather routing [5], [6], speed reduction [7], [6], propeller [8], [9], and hull optimization [10], [11], bow modification [12], [13], [14], hull cleaning management or preventing biofouling [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], trimming strategy [21], adding devices [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], using more advanced antifouling [27], [28], [29], and analyzing the coating roughness [30], [31], [32], [33], [34], etc.…”