On hydrodynamic analysis of stepped planing crafts

Abstract Using transverse steps is one of the adopted strategies to improve the hydrodynamic characteristics of planing crafts. In the present paper, hydrodynamic characteristics of stepped planing crafts are numerically investigated. For this purpose, we analyzed the effects of five different types of transverse steps on lift to drag ratio, resistance, trim angle and sinkage of high speed planing crafts. Contours of pressure distribution on the bottom of crafts, water volume fraction and free-surface are also presented at different hull velocities. Computed numerical results are properly validated against our conducted towing tank experimental tests.