Analysis on Hydrodynamic Force Acting on a Catamaran at Low Speed Using RANS Numerical Method

This paper discusses the hydrodynamic characteristics of a catamaran at low speed. In this study, the Delft 372 catamaran model was selected as the target hull to analyze the hydrodynamic characteristics by using the RANS (Reynold-Averaged Navier-Stokes) numerical method. First, the turbulence study and mesh independent study were conducted to select the appropriate method for numerical calculation. The numerical method for the CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamic) calculation was verified by comparing the hydrodynamic force with that obtained experimentally at high speed condition and it rendered a good agreement. Second, the virtual captive model test for a catamaran at low speed was conducted using the verified method. The drift test with drift angle 0-180 degrees was performed and the resulting hydrodynamic forces were compared with the trends of other ship types. Also, the pure rotating test and yaw rotating test proposed by Takashina, (1986) were conducted. The Fourier coefficients obtained from the measured hydrodynamic force were compared with those of other ship types. Conversely, pure sway test and pure yaw test also were simulated to obtain added mass coefficients. By analyzing these results, the hydrodynamic coefficients of the catamaran at low speed were estimated. Finally, the maneuvering simulation in low speed conditions was performed by using the estimated hydrodynamic coefficients.