Application of Computational Fluid Dynamics to Research Vessel Design

This paper describes the application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to a few problems relating to the design and operation of research vessels and platforms. The first application presented is the prediction of the speed-power relationship for a twin-strut SWATH. Calculations of the shaft horsepower curve for a predecessor SWATH design show good comparison with available experimental data. The CFD calculations help to determine the main propulsion levels and to suggest a design improvement that would be conducive to a fixed-pitch propeller solution. The second application presented is the calculation of the wind field around a semi-submersible platform. The calculations quantify the wind field distortion in the presence of the platform and show how two suitably positioned anemometers may be used together to obtain a good estimate of the far-field wind environment. Finally, brief mention is made of a third application involving the minimization of the resistance penalty incurred by Gondola-type sonar transducer assemblies