An Empirical and Numerical Approach to Evaluate Submarine Resistance in Fully Submerged Configuration with Experimental validation

Abstract

Submarine technology is an undisputed cornerstone for coastal defenses round the globe. Not only it enables a naval force to operate with covertness, but also bestows a nuclear power with second-strike capabilities. Aforementioned features have engendered an enhanced focus towards the research and development in different aspects of submarine technology. One of the main areas of research in submarine design is the identification of optimum ship performance design parameters. Forgoing in view, the analysis of hydrodynamic aspects plays a vital role in resistance and efficiency of the propulsion system, which holds prime significance. Given the fact that designing of submarine is incomplete without the optimum resistance, the present research work focuses on different methods to calculate the resistance.In this paper, the resistance of submarine (DARPA SUBOFF) is computed in submerged condition using RANSE based CFD model with k-e realizable function and cut cell technique. The estimated CFD results are validated with the experimental results provided by DARPA. The accuracy observed for the applied technique is up to 97%. Same validated technique is applied on the arbitrary submarine to calculate the submerged resistance. Along with CFD, different empirical techniques that are only applicable to submerged bodies are also studied for analytical calculation of resistance with experimental validation. The most efficient empirical technique is identified with respect to the submerged geometries. This research will be helpful for the resistance prediction of other marine vehicles, particularly for powering prediction of submarine.