Stern Flows at Full-Scale Reynolds Numbers

Abstract

A numerical method for the solution of the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations for three-dimensional flow of an incompressible fluid, used previously for calculations at model-scale Reynolds numbers, has been applied to the flow over the stern of an axisymmetric body and a representative ship over a range of Reynolds numbers up to five billion. High Reynolds number experiments on axi-symmetric bodies strongly support the use of wall functions in the turbulence model. Comparisons with traditional ship wake scaling laws suggest that such laws do not properly describe the scale effects on the flow in the propeller plane.