Prediction of Resistance and Self-Propulsion Characteristics of a Full-Scale Naval Ship by CFD-Based GEOSIM Method

Abstract

Resistance and self-propulsion characteristics of a naval ship at full scale have been investigated by using Telfer’s GEOmetrically SIMilar (GEOSIM) method based on the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach. For this purpose, first, the resistance forces of the Office of Naval Research Tumblehome (ONRT) hull have been computed at different three model scales by using the overset mesh technique. The full-scale resistance and nominal wake fraction of the ONRT hull have been estimated by using Telfer’s GEOSIM method. Resistance and nominal wake fraction have then been compared with those of CFD at full scale. Later, the self-propulsion characteristics of the ONRT hull have been examined using Telfer’s GEOSIM method based on the CFD approach. Self-propulsion factors at the full-scale hull have been predicted by using the SST k–x turbulence model to involve 2-degrees of freedom ship motions (heave and pitch). Rotational motion of the propeller has also been simulated by using the rigid body motion technique. The results calculated by Telfer’s GEOSIM method and the 1978 International Towing Tank Conference (ITTC) extrapolation technique have been compared with each other and discussed with those of the CFD approach at full scale. It was found that the full-scale results (both resistance and self-propulsion factors) predicted by Telfer’s GEOSIM method are closer to those of the CFD approach than those of the 1978 ITTC technique. It can be noted that Telfer’s GEOSIM method is fast, robust, and reliable and can be used as an alternative to the 1978 ITTC method for predicting the self-propulsion performance of a full-scale ship. Introduction Resistance and self-propulsion characteristics of a surface ship should be known properly in the design stages. For this purpose, model tests and numerical methods are used together to determine the resistance and self-propulsion performance of a ship. However, model tests are expensive and time-consuming, and the accuracy of the International Towing Tank Conference (ITTC) extrapolation technique from model scale to full scale may not have in a satisfactory level. On the other hand, Telfer’s GEOmetrically SIMilar (GEOSIM) method based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can overcome these difficulties.