Modeling of hard-chine hulls in transitional and early planing regimes by hydrodynamic point sources

Abstract

A linear potential-flow method based on hydrodynamic point sources is developed for modeling steady hydrodynamics of hard-chine hulls. Source singularities are distributed on the wetted hull surface and on the free water surface. The wetted hull area is not known in advance and is found iteratively. The outcome of the model is the pressure distribution on the hull and the water surface elevations. Validation studies with two- and three-dimensional hull forms demonstrate good agreement for the lift coefficient and center of pressure in transitional and early planing regimes. The near-field wake wash reasonably agree with empirical data for wave profiles behind a planing plate and for the trough position behind a submerged hydrofoil. The flexibility of the current method allows modeling of a variety of hull forms and systems with hydrodynamically interacting elements.