Aerodynamic Load Prediction on a Patrol Vessel Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Abstract

Aerodynamic loads and moments on a naval patrol vessel are investigated using computational fluid dynamic simulations based on the OpenFOAM solver. After the initial turbulence, time, and grid dependency study, model scale simulations were performed for a wide range of inflow angles to predict aerodynamic forces and moments acting on the vessel at different heading conditions. For validation, model scale results were compared with wind tunnel data for similar hull forms. Finally, full-scale simulations were performed for a few cases to investigate possible scale effects on simulation results. The revealed scale effect turned out significant only for the yaw moment response. In this study, we aimed to produce reliable aerodynamic load data for the high-speed vessel, which is essential to developing reliable manoeuvring models. We conclude that Computational Fluid Dynamics is capable of providing reliable aerodynamic load predictions for high-speed vessels with sophisticated superstructures, in an economical manner.