Self-Propulsion Modeling with Full-Scale Ship CFD Simulation

Learn about detailed and accurate self-propulsion CFD simulation with Fidelity Fine Marine in this technical brief:

Simulating self-propulsion is a crucial aspect of ship design. By accurately modeling propulsion with dedicated methods, designers can make informed decisions to enhance fuel efficiency, maneuverability, and overall seaworthiness, contributing to developing more sustainable and effective maritime transportation.

Traditionally, towing tank experiments are used to predict self-propulsion performance. The most significant limitation of this method is that it cannot accurately predict the performance of full-scale ships, as it works with tank models that are typically at least 50 times smaller. This results in potentially different measured values for speed and other parameters, such as hull resistance, propeller thrust, and propeller torque. These inaccuracies are important for ship designers of today who are searching to improve performance to the maximum.

CFD simulations do not suffer from this limitation and can be conducted at full scale, enabling designers to explore multiple design variations and operating conditions efficiently and accurately. CFD provides insights into flow details, contributing to a deeper understanding of the fluid dynamics influencing propulsion.

To learn more about how to achieve detailed and accurate self-propulsion prediction for ship design through highly automated CFD with Fidelity Fine Marine, read this technical brief: