Simplified methodology for CFD analysis in naval architecture. Applications to ship resistance and hydrodynamic performance

Abstract

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is one of the most widely used numerical methods for analyzing and optimizing the hydrodynamic performance of ships as early as the preliminary design stages. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations represent an effective tool for investigating complex flow phenomena occurring around ship hulls, propulsion systems, and additional hydrodynamic components. By applying numerical methods, CFD analysis can significantly reduce the time and financial resources required for experimental investigations performed on physical ship models. The present study proposes a simplified computational fluid dynamics framework intended for applications in naval engineering. The methodology is designed to investigate ship resistance behavior and to assess the performance of a marine propeller during open-water operation. The numerical workflow involves several essential stages, starting with the preparation of the 3D model and the establishment of the simulation environment, followed by the definition of the mesh strategy, selection of the governing equations and numerical solvers, and final evaluation of the computed results using dedicated post-processing methods.