Research on the influence of trimaran side hull layout on its manoeuvrability

Abstract

In this paper, the numerical simulation method is used to calculate the hydrodynamics of the trimaran under different longitudinal and lateral side hull positions to predict the maneuvering motion, and then analyze the influence of the side hull layout on its Manoeuvrability. Firstly, based on the finite volume method (FVM),numerical simulation of the Captive Model Tests such as towing tests, circular motion tests, static heel tests, and roll decay motion tests are carried out by solving the 3-D unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) equations to determine the hydrodynamic coefficients for a mathematical model of the ship maneuvering motion, and to explore the hydrodynamic performance changes of trimaran under different working conditions and side hull layouts. Next, the turning maneuvering motion and Zig-zag maneuvering motion of the trimaran were predicted by combining with the 4-degree-of-freedom MMG model. Finally, the influence of different side hull layouts on the trimaran's maneuvering performance and the hull's heeling attitude under maneuvering motion was explored by comparing the maneuvering motion parameters.