Comparative Study of RaNS and PF based Solver for Predicting Added Resistance of a Very Large Crude Carrier

Abstract Computational ship hydrodynamics has gained high popularity in shipbuilding industry in recent years because of its high efficiency and improved accuracy. Reliable performance prediction at design stage is essential for large structures, like ships, to ensure design conformance and buyer ‘s acceptance. Thus, shipbuilders are emphasizing and relying more and more on computational methods. This paper aims at providing a comparative study of added resistance and related motion prediction using a Reynolds averaged Navier -Stokes (RaNS) and potential flow (PF) based solver, for a very large crude career, KVLCC2. The used RaNS solver, SHIP Motion, solves overset structured mesh using finite volume method. The PF solver is a commercial solver named HydroSTAR that uses 3D panel method for simulation and prediction. The paper compares both the results and shows that the RaNS solver is better in predicting added resistance, however, in case of motion predicting, both show similar level of accuracy.