The scale effect on the accuracy of a numerical simulation in ship hydrodynamics represents an important issue of the propeller numerical analysis. To grasp a better understanding on the influence of this effect, an introspection on the performances of an unconventional propeller is proposed in the present study. The paper describes an investigation of the performances of a tip rake propeller recently chosen as benchmark by the International Towing Tank Conference organization (ITTC hereafter). The numerical simulation is carried out by making use of the ISIS-CFD solver, part of the Fine™/Marine package available in the NUMECA suite. The solver is based on the finite volume method to build the spatial discretization of the governing equations. The incompressible unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes Equations (RANSE) are solved in a global approach. Reported solutions are compared with the experimental data provided by Schiffbau-Versuchsanstalt (SVA) Potsdam GmbH to validate the accuracy of the numerical approach. Since for the full scale the experimental data could not be possible, the ITTC’78 extrapolation method-based proposed by the SVA Potsdam has been taken as a basis for comparisons and discussions. A set of remarks will conclude the paper by providing some guidelines for further approaches in terms of the particulars of the numerics that may be further employed in similar studies.

The paper proposes a series of numerical investigations performed to test and demonstrate the capabilities of a Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equation (RANSE) solver in the area of complex ship flow simulations. The focus is on a complete numerical model for hull, propeller, and rudder that can account for the mutual interaction between these components. The paper presents the results of a complex investigation of the flow computations around the hull model of the 3600 TEU MOERI containership (KCS hereafter). The resistance for the hull equipped with a rudder, the propeller open-water (POW hereafter) computations, as well as the self-propulsion simulation are presented. Comparisons with the experimental data provided at the Tokyo 2015 Workshop on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in Ship Hydrodynamics are given to validate the numerical approach in terms of the total and wave resistance coefficients, sinkage and trim, thrust and torque coefficients, propeller efficiency, and local flow features. Verification and validation based on the grid convergence tests are performed for each computational case. Discussions on the efficiency of the turbulence models used in the computations as well as on the main flow features are provided aimed at clarifying the complex structure of the flow around the ship stern.

The hydrodynamic effect exerted by a nozzle placed in front of a KP505 propeller on the propulsive performances is studied by using extensive numerical simulations. The influence of a NACA 0015 nozzle with a chord length of 0.3 of the propeller diameter, D, mounted at 0.2 D in front of the propeller plane is studied for a various range of relevant nozzle diameters and different angles of attack. A detached eddy simulation (DES)-based hybrid technique implemented on the ISIS-CFD finite volume solver of the Numeca’s Fine^TM/Marine environment is proposed to fit the purpose. Systematically conducted simulations have proven that the net thrust reflecting the overall drag, which includes the nozzle, depends on the duct size. The duct presence determines two regions of the inflow into the propeller. One is the inner region of the nozzle where the high-speed flow exists because of the contraction of the duct. The other is the outer region of the nozzle where the flow decelerates due to the duct wake. Lower- and higher-pressure coefficients on the suction and pressure sides, cover a significantly wider area than those of the case without the nozzle, leading therefore to greater thrust and torque. The existence of a critical attack angle for which the magnitude of the relative axial force becomes maximum for the smallest nozzle diameter has been noticed.

The paper describes an investigation of the hydrodynamic performances of a five-bladed controllable pitch propeller, whose geometry was provided by Schiffbau-Versuchsanstalt (SVA) Potsdam GmbH Model Basin. Both cavitating and non-cavitating regimes are numerically simulated for different advance ratio coefficients. The numerical approach is based on a finite volume approach in which closure to the turbulence is achieved through detached eddy simulation (DES). Propeller open water (POW) characteristics are computed, and the numerical solutions are validated through extensive comparisons with experimental data. In addition, the bi-phasic flow for the cavitating regime is simulated, for which comparisons with the cavitation sketches are performed to check the ability of the solver to estimate the cavitation extent. Grid convergence tests are performed for both working regimes together with validation and verification checks, not only to size the level of the numerical errors, but also to prove the robustness of the chosen numerical approach. Finally, a set of final remarks will conclude the present research.

A thorough numerical introspection for assessing the particular issues of large flow separations around a submersible hull by using various turbulence models is described. The generic Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA hereafter) Suboff hull is considered in the present study. Detailed descriptions of the mathematics behind the hybrid Shear Stress Transport (SST), Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) and the Improved Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation (IDDES) are given. The ISIS solver of the Fine^TM/Marine package is used to solve the flow problems. An adaptive mesh refinement is employed for resolving the flow inside the areas hosting significant flow gradients. Two sets of computations are analyzed: one refers to the straight-ahead course, whereas the other is focused on the static drift motions. Four angles of incident flow and three different incoming flow velocities are proposed for clarifying the details of the flow separation. Extensive grid convergence tests are performed for both working regimes and for all the meshes used in the present investigation. Extended verification and validation (V&V hereafter) of the numerical approach is performed through extensive comparisons with the experimental data. Global hydrodynamic performance of the hull as well as the local flow features are discussed in detail. The study is concluded by a series of final remarks aimed at providing useful information for further similar investigations.

The paper proposes a numerical investigation based on RANS computations for solving the viscous flow around a self‐propelled tanker hull. A general numerical technique to estimate the propulsive performance is presented. For practical reasons, the technique couples a body forces method and a RANS‐based finite volume solver to account for the hull‐propeller interaction. This approach allows the quantification of the performance for a propeller working behind the ship hull, fully accounting for the effective wake conditions. The coupling of the methods therfore gives a combined numerical design and analysis tool. Numerical calculations and model tests have been compared to validate the technique used in the current work.