Resistance, propulsion and cavitation from a shipyard portfolio.
Hull resistance, aerodynamic load and cavitation studies from a portfolio built next to a major marine industry. Efficiency regulation has turned hydrodynamic performance into a compliance question, not just a commercial one.
1 · Sector needs with respect to CFD
Every percent of resistance shows up in fuel and in efficiency indices, so the sector needs free-surface simulation trustworthy enough to guide hull and propulsor decisions between model tests.
| REQUIREMENT | WHAT IT DEMANDS OF THE SIMULATION |
|---|---|
| Free-surface resistance | Wave-making and viscous resistance decomposition at design and off-design draughts, trim and speed combinations. |
| Propulsor performance | Open-water and behind-hull propeller behaviour, wake field quality and hull-propeller-rudder interaction. |
| Cavitation prediction | Sheet, tip-vortex and erosive cavitation identification, with the pressure-pulse consequences for noise and vibration. |
| Seakeeping and added resistance | Motion response and added resistance in waves, increasingly required for realistic operational-profile assessment. |
| Above-water aerodynamics | Wind loads on superstructures, containers and offshore topsides, plus exhaust and helideck flow conditions. |
2 · Typical representative cases
Calm-water resistance across the speed range with sinkage and trim free, ranking hull form and appendage variants.
Ducts, fins and pre-swirl stators assessed for real gain behind the hull rather than in isolation.
Behind-hull propeller loading and cavitation extent, with pressure pulses transmitted to the hull structure.
Rudder, shaft bracket and bilge keel flow, including gap cavitation and manoeuvring side force.
Wind resistance and load coefficients for hulls, deck cargo and offshore topsides across heading angles.
Funnel plume dispersion, downwash onto decks, and helideck turbulence and temperature-rise criteria.
3 · Policy and standards verifiable through CFD
Simulation supports — and in several frameworks explicitly permits — demonstration of compliance. Acceptance criteria and validation evidence are agreed with you and the approving body before the study begins.
| FRAMEWORK | HOW CFD SUPPORTS VERIFICATION |
|---|---|
| IMO MEPC EEDI / EEXI | Ship energy efficiency indices. Attained index values depend on power at reference speed; CFD supports hull and propulsor improvement and the technical files behind the calculation. |
| ITTC recommended procedures | CFD verification and validation. Defines the grid-convergence, uncertainty and reporting practice we follow so results are comparable with model-basin data. |
| ISO 15016 / IMO speed trials | Speed and power trial analysis. Correction of trial results for wind, waves and current is supported by simulation of the same conditions. |
| IMO MSC.1/Circ.1533 | Evacuation analysis for passenger ships. Advanced evacuation analysis, and smoke conditions affecting it, can be assessed with coupled simulation. |
| IGF Code / IGC Code | Gas-fuelled and gas carrier safety. Ventilation adequacy and gas dispersion in enclosed spaces, tank connection spaces and bunkering areas verified by CFD. |
A complete outsourcing solution: an engineering description of your problem, the geometry or area to analyse and the operating flow conditions are enough to start. All work is carried out by CompFlow personnel at company premises under strict bidirectional non-disclosure agreements, on in-house computing facilities including a 120-core cluster.
Engagement is project-based (predefined deliverables and deadlines) or yearly (a set number of consultancy hours). Related services: CFD Consulting · Code Development · Flow Measurements · 3D Design & Scan · CFD Training · CFD Support.