Lines optimization of 210 000 DWT bulk carrier based on resistance and wake non-uniformity

Objectives This study calculates and analyzes the flow field around the hull of a 210 000 DWT bulk carrier in order to perform hull line optimization with resistance and wake non-uniformity as the optimization objectives.

Methods Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is used to evaluate the initial hull lines, calculate the flow field around the ship and obtain flow field characteristics such as the wave pattern, pressure distribution, velocity distribution, etc. According to the CFD calculation results, an optimization strategy is constructed to form the modified hull lines. CFD calculation is then carried out on the modified lines to evaluate the optimization effects on resistance and wake non-uniformity. Finally, a model test of the optimized hull form's power delivery performance is carried out to verify the optimization effects.

Results The CFD calculation results show that compared with the initial hull form, the effective power of the modified hull form is reduced by 2.46% and the wake non-uniformity is reduced by 8.48%, while the model test results show that compared with the initial hull form, the delivered power of the modified hull form is reduced by 3.49%.

Conclusions The proposed optimization method can obtain hull lines with excellent resistance performance and good wake field uniformity, giving it strong engineering applicability.