Improved estimation of ship wave-making resistance

Abstract For the prediction of ship resistance in the preliminary stages of the design process, naval architects often use methods that are less complex and expensive than CFD simulations and experiments. The linear wave-making theory can be used to quickly evaluate wave resistance, although, the theory gives poor estimates for conventional hull forms due to neglecting viscosity. This paper introduces improvements to the original theory by including boundary layer effects through the tangency correction that can handle flow separation. The improvements that account for viscous and nonlinear effects are implemented within Michell’s thin-ship theory to extend its applicability to non-slender hulls, which is validated by numerical simulations of five profoundly different hull forms: the Wigley hull, Series 60, Delft 372, a yacht hull, and the KRISO containership hull. The modified theory yielded more accurate resistance curves compared to the original theory and Holtrop–Mennen’s method, and gave new insight into ship wave-making.