Comparative analysis of the hydrodynamic performance of untwisted and twisted rudders using a hybrid RANSE/BEM model

Paper in proceeding, 2014

Results of a computational study on the hydrodynamic perfor- mance of twisted and untwisted rudders for a single screw vessel are presented. Ship flow simulations are performed by using a hybrid RANSE/BEM model. Numerical predictions by RANSE and BEM solvers are validated through comparisons against ex- perimental data for the ship considered in the study. The com- parative analysis of untwisted and twisted rudders is carried out by fully–appended ship flow simulations at uniform ship speed and rudder angles between 0 and 20 degrees. Numerical results predict comparable manoeuvring capabilities for the alternative layouts, whereas the twisted design allows to mitigate negative pressure peaks observed on the untwisted rudder surface over a range of helm angles.