Comparison of Single and Overset Grid Techniques for CFD Simulations of a Surface Effect Ship

Overset, or Chimera meshes are used to discretize the governing equations within a computational domain using multiple meshes that overlap in an arbitrary manner. The overset mesh technique is most applicable to problems dealing with multiple or moving bodies. In order to extend existing full craft CFD (RANS) simulations of a surface effect ship (SES) into shallow water and maneuvering cases, an overset mesh is needed. Deep water simulations were carried out using both single and overset grid techniques for evaluation of the overset grid application. The single grid technique applies a hexahedral mesh to the fluid domain and SES geometry. An adequate mesh resolution was determined by performing a grid convergence study on a series of systematically refined meshes. An overset mesh of the same resolution was then constructed and was fixed to the body. Drag and pitch results are compared among the two simulations. Free surface elevations around the craft and under the air cushion for simulations with the single and overset meshes are compared. Steady-state simulations using the overset mesh and the single mesh show general similarities in drag, pitch, and free surface elevations.