Computation of a Flow Field Around a Rudder behind a Propeller

Abstract

The viscous flow computation of flow fields around a rudder with and without rudder angle behind a propeller are presented through a comparison with mean-flow measurements, using 5 hole pitot probes. The steady flow field is computed by a viscous flow code coupled with a body-force distribution which represents the propeller. The momentum transport equations are discretized using the finite analytic method on a staggered grid system. The velocity-pressure coupling is accomplished based on the SIMPLER algorithm. Although the details of the flow field from the computation results is different because of the laminar flow computation with different Reynolds number and numerical treatment, the effect by taking the rudder angle is clearly shown in the computation results with mean flow data, quantitative agreement is obtained except near the rudder surface. The comparisons show that the approach can also simulate the steady part of the flow field around a rudder with rudder angle in the propeller slipstream.