Resistance Characteristic of High-speed Unstaggered Pentamaran Model with Variations of Symmetric and Asymmetric Hull Configurations

Abstract

Pentamaran, a vessel with five hulls, can be an alternative for high-speed vessels due to its advantages, for instance, its excellent stability and seakeeping performance and broader deck space than an equivalent monohull with the same displacement. The destructive interference between the system of waves produced by the vessel’s hulls might benefit the reduction of power consumption. This study investigated a Wigley hull form pentamaran model with five asymmetric and symmetric hull configurations and three variations of hull separation. The ship model was towed in conditions of fixed towing and calm water with Froude numbers (Fr) ranging from 0.55 to 1.00. A resistance analysis had been carried out to ensure proper comparison between the asymmetric and symmetric hull configurations. Results showed that total resistance coefficient of the asymmetries created different properties from the symmetries, that is, symmetries produced steadier trends than asymmetries. The hull separation variation caused a slight alteration in the total resistant coefficient (in magnitude) under the same configuration. Although not a single configuration outperformed the others in the entire range of Fr, three configurations were noteworthy as optimum models based on their Fr range. Moreover, a configuration of asymmetric hull with S/L = 0.22 could generate a constant destructive interference throughout the investigated Fr range.