Estimation of Hydrodynamic Derivatives of Full-Scale Submarine using RANS Solver

It is necessary to predict hydrodynamic derivatives when assessing the maneuverability of a submarine. The force and moment acting on the vehicle may affect its motion in various modes. Conventionally, the derivatives are determined by performing captive model tests in a towing tank or applying a system identification method to the free running model test. However, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method has also become a possible tool to predict the hydrodynamics. In this study, virtual captive model tests for a full-scale submarine were conducted by utilizing a Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solver in ANSYS FLUENT version 18.2. The simulations were carried out at design speed for various modes of motion such as straight forward, drift, angle of attack, deflection of the rudder, circular, and combined motion. The hydrodynamic force and moment acting on the submarine appended rudders and stern stabilizers were then obtained. Finally, hydrodynamic derivatives were determined, and these could be used for evaluating the maneuvering characteristics of the submarine in a further study.