Optimization of Ship Hull Lines of Bulbous Bow by Using CFD Approach

Abstract

The proposal of this investigation is the optimization design of bulbous bow-lines for a container vessel. The results of wave-making coefficients and relative data of wave-making field both from computation based on Green function method and Michell integral method are provided for 7 different designs of bulbous bow lines respectively in this paper. According to the minimum energy from the sample of average wave-making energy for each design of bulbous bow-lines, which is to be objective function in this computation, the geometric parameters for optimization lines of bulbous bow can be determined. Adopting CFD method, it is respectively calculated that the average wave energy change with the ahead extendable length of bulbous bow, the height above the baseline of bulbous bow and the transverse area of the bulbous bow at fore pole. By above three change curves, the optimization shape of the bulbous bow is gained. The resistance components and the wave-field for wave-making for ship hull by using CFD method have been validated based on corresponding model test results. Therefore, the optimized bulbous bow-lines can be used in the ship design practice.