An extended verification and validation study of CFD simulations for planing hulls

In the context of marine application of computational fluid dynamic (CFD), it is well known that the numerical simulations of planing craft are significantly less reliable than that of displacement ships. For this reason, it is important to perform a comprehensive approach to the verification and validation (V&V) methodology and procedures for simulating CFD planing craft. In the first part of this paper, an assessment of the accuracy and effectiveness of different simulation setups and techniques for planing craft is performed. In the second part, the results of the V&V study are reported for three different hull models at four Froude numbers (Fr). The Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes code results were validated using benchmark experimental data obtained for three hull models characterized by systematic variation of the length to beam ratio. Grid independence, iteration, and time-step convergence analysis for response variables (resistance coefficients, wetted surfaces, and dynamic trim angles) were conducted using the main error and uncertainty estimation methods available in the literature. The same procedures were followed for the profiles of the wave patterns. The results showed that there was improved reliability of the numerical simulation of the planing craft in terms of the errors and uncertainties, related to the predictions of resistance, running attitude, and wave pattern. The results of the V&V study highlighted the fact that modeling of the planing craft is a critical point to improve the reliability of the numerical simulation. © 2016, Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. All rights reserved.