EXPERIMENTAL AND NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION ON MANEUVERING PERFORMANCE OF SMALL WATERPLANE AREA TWIN HULL

Free running model tests and a system-based method are employed to evaluate maneuvering performance for a Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) ship in this paper. A 3 degrees of freedom Maneuvering Modeling Group (MMG) model is implemented to numerically simulate the maneuvering motions in calm water. Virtual captive model tests are performed by using a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) method to acquire hydrodynamic derivatives, after a convergence study to check the numerical accuracy. The turning and zigzag maneuvers are simulated by solving the maneuvering motion model and the predicted results agree well with the experimental data. Moreover, free running model tests are carried out for three lateral separations and the influence of the lateral separations on maneuvering performance is investigated. The research results of this paper will be helpful for the maneuvering prediction of the small waterplane area twin hull ship.

Automated summary

This paper evaluates the maneuvering performance of a SWATH ship using free running model tests and a system-based method. By implementing a 3-DOF MMG model and conducting virtual captive model tests with RANS method, the study successfully predicts maneuvering motions and investigates the impact of lateral separations on performance. The research provides valuable insights for maneuvering prediction of SWATH ships.