Virtual Captive Model tests for Maneuvering Prediction

Abstract

Maneuvering in general is the ability of the ship to follow the desired path with the help of its control surfaces, it cannot be put into a quantifiable term. This paper uses commercial CFD software “Simcenter STARCCM+” for performing virtual captive model tests. A benchmark KCS Hull has been adopted for this study. Test conditions of PMM tests from the SIMMAN 2008 workshop have been replicated in the virtual captive model tests. Static as well as dynamic tests have been performed to determine the hydrodynamic derivatives and have been validated against the experimental values. These derivatives are then used to determine the directional straight-line stability of the ship. The results showed that the simulated values of the derivatives match well with the experimental values. This paper also presents the ability of STARCMM+ software in predicting the maneuvering characteristics of the ship with its advanced built-in Planer motion mechanism, general motion mechanism, and rotating arm tests. The use of dynamic fluid body interaction with planner motion mechanism has been presented in this paper