Analysis of the double steps position effect on planing hull performances

Abstract

Along with developing high-speed craft technology, the planing hull is growing with modifications for better performance. One such technology is stepped hull, both single and double. Planing hull with steps allows the boat to run at a relatively low drag-lift ratio with lower frictional resistance due to reduced wetted area. In this study, the hull was modified with variations in the position of the double steps, which aimed to determine the effect of the first and second step positions on the total resistance, dynamic trim, and dynamic sinkage generated by computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Based on the analysis results, variations in the position of the stepped can change the hull performance. Shortening the distance between the two steps and moving both rearwards toward the transom can lower the total resistance. The dynamic trim and dynamic sinkage decreased as the position of the two steps was shifted further forward. An equation created in a non-dimensional form relates the positions of two steps to the desired results of total resistance, dynamic trim, and dynamic sinkage, namely: {(x1-x2)/L + (x1x2)/(LB)} × Fr∇, where x1 is distance the first step from transom, x2 is the distance of the second step, L is the length of the boat, B is the beam of the boat, and Fr∇ is the volume Froude number.