Hydrodynamic Services
CFD Analysis for Improved
Hull Performance
Introduction
Modern ship types require optimum hull lines to
perform succesfully. Shipowners demand high speed
for their vessels - on the other hand they also de-
mand as low bunker costs as possible to save oper-
ational costs. Therefore hull lines must be optimized
carefully as regards resistance already at the very
early design stage.
Traditionally, optimization of hull lines has been
made by model tests in combination with the long
experience of naval architects. Today, however, hull
lines are most efficient optimized by combining mo-
del tests with CFD tools (Computational Fluid Dy-
namics).
CFD applications
Historically FORCE Technology has been using the
SHIPFLOW CFD code developed by Flowtech in
Gothenburg. This CFD code has been developed
specifically for ships, and has proven its effective-
2489-2-en
ness for many projects throughout the years. For
many years it has been FORCE Technology’s policy
to perform CFD calculations in parallel to model
tests. In this way FORCE Technology have built up a
valuable experience of using CFD for optimization of
hull forms in the very early design process. Our
results with CFD have been continuously validated
and confirmed by model tank tests.
By combining CFD with model tests we have been
able to provide our clients with a powerful package
for successful hull form development. In the early
phases of the design, hull forms and concepts are
evaluated and optimized by CFD calculations. At the
later stage of the design process the final speed and
power characteristics of the final hull design are veri-
fied by precise towing tank tests. In this way the
lead-time of the hull form development has been
reduced just as the number of iterations with model
testing.
CFD pays off . . .
Our experience clearly shows that application of CFD
in the early design stage pays off. When applying
CFD, costs for optimization of hull forms are reduced
due to reduced number of iterations in the towing
tank. Furthermore, and maybe most important - the
shipowner benefits from optimized hull forms with
optimized wave making resistance, and reduced
bunker costs.
For most shipowners fuel savings of just a few per-
cent on their fleet would result in significant savings.
In this view, there is no excuse not to focus on mini-
mizing hull resistance at the time where it is still
possible to modify the details of the hull lines.
Let us guide you . . . .
It is FORCE Technology’s policy to work closely with
the client already from the very beginning of a pro-
ject. To meet our client’s demands we always try to
provide the right services at the right time. There-
fore we offer CFD studies at very competitive costs
and time schedules.
And by ordering a CFD study in the very early design
phase you gain much more than just the results of
the CFD calculations. Your hull lines are reviewed
and commented by senior naval architects with
proven record of optimization of hull lines.
Case Studies
Optimization of the bow on a large motor
yacht
CFD calculations were made for alternative dimen-
sions of a bulbous bow. The results of the CFD cal-
culations clearly illustrated the most effective design
of bulbous bow for the vessel. Compared to the bow
without bulbous bow, the best bulbous bow reduced
the resistance by approximately 9%.
By application of CFD for optimization of the bulbous
bow, the yard saved model testing of two of the
three configurations of the bulbous bow. Hence sav-
ing both costs and valauble time in the design pro-
cess.
Illustration of the computed wave profile for the different
hull alternatives
Further information:
Christian Schack, tel. (direct) +45 72 15 78 05, crs@force.dk
FORCE Technology Netherlands B.V. FORCE Technology USA Inc. FORCE Technology Norway AS FORCE Technology Sweden AB FORCE Technology, Headquarters
Tel. +31 71 523 5212 Tel. +1 713 975 8300
FORCE Technology Rusland LLC FORCE Technology Brazil Ltda.
Tel. +7(812) 326 80 92 Tel. +55 21 2610 7400
info@forcetechnology.no
Design of a medium sized tanker
Based on existing design of a medium sized tanker,
alternative hull lines were proposed based on CFD
calculations. The modified hull lines showed signifi-
cant reduced wave resistance, which were verified
by model tests.
By application of CFD, the power requirement of the
vessel was reduced by more than 15%. Thus, the
owner will benefit of fuel savings in the whole life of
the ship – maintaining the same payload as the ini-
tial design!
Comparison of the wave pattern for the initial (upper) and
final (lower) hull lines of the vessel
Optimization of hull lines for a 50 m passenger
ferry
The hull lines of a 50 m passenger ferry were evalu-
ated by CFD in the early design stage. Based on the
results, modifications were made to the hull form.
After a number of iterations, the optimum hull form
was achieved. At the date of contract of the vessel,
model tests were made to verify the final perform-
ance of the vessel.
By application of CFD in the early design stage, the
client had optimum lines at the date of contract.
Thus, delivery time of the design and costs for
model tests were minimized.
Sponson design for a research vessel
A modification of a research vessel included new
side sponsons. The design and the effect of the
sponsons as regards wave resistance were evaluated
by CFD.
Based on results the owner had much better back-
ground for his decision to continue the project, and
he saved time and costs for model testing in the
early stage of the project.
Subject to changes without notice
Claude Monets allé 5 Tallmätargatan 7 Park Allé 345
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Tel. +47 64 00 35 00 Tel. +46 (0)21 490 3000 Tel. +45 43 26 70 00
Fax +47 64 00 35 01 Fax +46 (0)21 490 3001 Fax +45 43 26 70 11
info@forcetechnology.se force@force.dk
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