Validation of CFD Predictions of the Hull Resistance and the Wave System of a Catamaran

In response to the need for better designs in less time and at low costs, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is becoming an integral part of the vessel’s design process. Recent studies have shown that CFD techniques can be used with relative success for the problem of ship resistance prediction. This paper reports on the simulation of the flow around a typical catamaran hull by means of CFD computations. The numerical model used in the simulations was developed in full scale with the experimental model in order to eliminate any source of scale effects. The paper presents a discussion on grid configuration and an analysis of the performance of the numerical model in describing the characteristics of the in-between hulls flow. The results obtained were validated against experimental data.