Experimental and CFD investigation on resistance reduction of hydrofoils for amphibious vehicles

Abstract

ABSTRACT Resistance characteristics of amphibious vehicles are crucial for their sailing speed and battlefield survivability. This study proposes the installation of hydrofoils at the wheel cavity to reduce resistance and enhance performance. Two hydrofoil designs and four shapes are analyzed to determine the optimal drag reduction design. Towing tests and numerical simulations are employed to investigate and evaluate the hydrodynamic performance of amphibious vehicles. The impact of hydrofoils on resistance reduction is analysed and elucidated through a comprehensive analysis of surface pressure distribution, sailing attitude, and energy consumption in the flow field. Results demonstrate that, except for the elongation-hydrofoil, the other three shapes all show significant performance optimisation at medium to high speeds Fr > 0.5 , with improved effectiveness as speed increases. Among the four shapes, the curve-hydrofoil exhibits the best overall drag reduction effect (18%) and resistance peak compression ability (6.68%), owing to its ample lift force and optimal trim capability.