The SSFSRVM computational model for three-dimensional ship flows with viscosity

The Slender-Ship Free-Surface Random Vortex Method (SSFSRVM) is an efficient computational formulation for simulating flows around steadily translating vessels. It is based upon slender ship theory and the free-surface random-vortex method. Nonlinear free-surface boundary conditions are used to account for the presence of surface waves. SSFSRVM was thoroughly verified against experimental and analytical results for both submerged and (free-)surface-piercing configurations. Submerged configurations include yawed conical bodies in deep submergence. The lateral force acting on a cone was found to agree closely with analytical predictions at small yaw angles. Interestingly, viscous effects were found to decrease the lateral force, as observed in published experimental results.;For surface-piercing configurations, SSFSRVM was applied to examine the flow around a wedge-shaped bow as well as the flow around the bow of Wigley and Series 60 hulls. The maximum wave elevation at the bow predicted by SSFSRVM compares well with experiments but the predicted location of this crest occurs consistently further from the bow. This appears to be a result of the lack of upstream influence in the slender-ship approximation. Viscous effects do not seem to affect the bow wave significantly.;The lateral force acting on a yawed surface-piercing flat plate also compared well with published data from other numerical methods, but is generally under-predicted when compared with experiments. Significant differences between the linearized and nonlinear pressure distribution over the plates were noted and explained.;Finally, the predicted moment on a tumblehome hull (DTMB Model 5613-1), undergoing prescribed roll motion, closely matched that of recent experimental data, particularly for larger roll amplitudes. Exact hydrostatics showed a reduction in the roll restoring moment when compared with wall-sided hulls. For the particular case of forward speed and frequency examined, viscous effects significantly increased the hydrodynamic added moment-of-inertia and damping coefficients. Plots of the vortex-blob distribution revealed that the eddies originating from the sonar dome were impinging on the rolling bilge keels.