The finite volume based multi-block RANS code, WAVIS developed at MOERI is applied to the numerical self-propulsion test. WAVIS uses the cell-centered finite volume method for discretization of the governing equations. The realizable $k-{\epsilon}$ turbulence model with a wall function is employed for the turbulence closure. The free surface is captured with the two-phase level set method and body forces are used to model the effects of a propeller without resolving the detail blade flow. The propeller forces are obtained using an unsteady lifting surface method based on potential flow theory. The numerical procedure followed the self-propulsion model experiment based on the 1978 ITTC performance prediction method. The self-propulsion point is obtained iteratively through balancing the propeller thrust, the ship hull resistance and towing force that is correction for Reynolds number difference between the model and full scale. The unsteady lifting surface code is also iterated until the propeller induced velocity is converged in order to obtain the propeller force. The self-propulsion characteristics such as thrust deduction, wake fraction, propeller efficiency, and hull efficiency are compared with the experimental data of the practical container ship. The present paper shows that hybrid RANS and potential flow based numerical method is promising to predict the self-propulsion parameters of practical ships as a useful tool for the hull form and propeller design.

In this paper, a numerical study is carried out to investigate the turbulent flow around a twin-skeg container ship model with rudders including propeller effects. A commercial CFD code, FLUENT is used with body forces distributed on the propeller disk to simulate the ship stem and wake flows with the propeller in operation. A multi-block, matching, structured grid system has been generated for the container ship hull with twin-skegs in consideration of rudders and body-force propeller disks. The RANS equations for incompressible fluid flows are solved numerically by using a finite volume method. For the turbulence closure, a Reynolds stress model is used in conjunction with a wall function. Computations are carried out for the bare hull as well as the hull with appendages of a twin-skeg container ship model. For the bare hull, the computational results are compared with experimental data and show generally a good agreement. For the hull with appendages, the changes of the stem flow by the rudders and the propellers have been analyzed based on the computed result since there is no experimental data available for comparison. It is found the flow incoming to the rudders has an angle of attack due to the influence of the skegs and thereby the hull surface pressure and the limiting streamlines are changed slightly by the rudders. The axial velocity of the propeller disk is found to be accelerated overall by about 35% due to the propeller operation with the rudders. The area and the magnitude of low pressure on the hull surface enlarge with the flow acceleration caused by the propeller. The propellers are found to have an effect on up to the position where the skeg begins. The propeller slipstream is disturbed strongly by the rudders and the flow is accelerated further and the transverse velocity vectors are weakened due to the flow rectifying effect of the rudder.

So far, the generation of a hull structural analysis model, that is, a finite element model of a hull structure, has been manually performed by a designer using design experience, and thus has required lots of time because of many constraints, the complexity, and the huge size of the hull structure. To make this task automatic, an algorithm for generating the hull structural analysis model is developed using the seam information of the hull structure. A generating system of the hull structural analysis model is implemented based on the developed algorithm. The applicability of the developed algorithm is demonstrated by applying it to the generation of the global and hold structural analysis models of a deadweight 300,000 ton VLCC (Very Large Crude oil Carrier). The results show that the developed algorithm can quickly generate these models at the initial design stage.

The visual observation of wave condition depends on the observer's skill and experience. Also, the environmental conditions such as light and cloud heavily influence the visual measurement. In the speed test of sea trial, the wave measurement should be objective and accurate. In this paper, the problems of visual measurement and their effects on speed test are described. To overcome those problems, we developed the wave measurement system using commercial marine X-band radar, WaveFinder. The system installed at inland base was calibrated by waverider buoy and then the system's operability was defined. Onboard tests had also been performed three times for formal wave measurement to correct the ship speed. The results illustrated very good agreement with visual observation by experts. It can be concluded that the system would be useful to measure wave and swell information for the sea trial, irrespective of day and night.