The Numerical Simulation of a Submarine Based on a Dynamic Mesh Method

In this paper, a new numerical model is proposed by combining the overset mesh technique and dynamic mesh method in order to simulate the straight navigation and steady turning motion of a submarine model. The RNG k-ε turbulence model is applied to close the three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations. The comparison between the numerical results and experimental data for the straight navigation experiment shows that the values of the total resistance and surface pressure coefficients of the proposed numerical model under different forward speeds are highly consistent with the experimental data of the David Taylor Research Center (DTRC). The proposed model is applied to simulate the forces and pressure coefficient of the SUBOFF submarine model at different velocities and rotation rates. The wake waves of the submarine under the conditions of the same rotation rate but with different velocities at the buoyancy center are presented. The results show that the pressure coefficient between the port side and starboard side differs according to the turning motions. The influences of the velocity and rotation rate on the forces and pressure coefficient are discussed. It will be demonstrated that the new numerical model maintains a high mesh quality by avoiding mesh deformation, and this leads to the higher numerical accuracy of the steady turning motions.