Experimental and numerical hydrodynamic analysis of a stepped planing hull

•Towing tank test on a single stepped hull model, built with transparent bottom to provide a full view of the water flow under the hull.•The calm water resistance experiments were conducted with down-thrust methodology with a towed point located in the hull bow.•Numerical experiments made via RANS and Large Eddy Simulations (LES), with different moving mesh techniques.•Uncertainty analysis in experimental fluid dynamics tests and in CFD simulations performed according to ITTC.•Flow patterns observed experimentally have been reproduced also numerically through LES on a refined grid confirms. This work addresses the experimental and numerical study of a stepped planing hull and the related fluid dynamics phenomena typically occurring in the stepped hull in the unwetted aft body area behind the step. In the last few years, the interest in high-speed planing crafts, with low weight-to-power ratios, has been increasing significantly, and, in such context, naval architects have been orienting toward the stepped hull solution. Stepped planing hulls ensure good dynamic stability and seakeeping qualities at high speeds. This is mainly due to the reduction of the wetted area, which is caused by the flow separation occurring at the step. This paper presents the experimental results of towing tank tests in calm water on a single-step hull model, which is the first model of a new systematic series. The same flow conditions are analyzed via Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) and Large Eddy Simulations (LES), with different moving mesh techniques (overset/chimera and morphing grid), performed at different model speeds. The numerical results are in accordance with experimental data, and overset/chimera grid is found to be the best approach between the analyzed ones. The flow patterns obtained numerically through LES on a refined grid appear similar to the ones observed in towing tank investigations through photographic acquisitions. These flow patterns are dominated by a rather complex 3D arrangement of vortices originating from air spillage at both sides of the step. The understanding of these phenomena is important for the effectiveness of stepped hull designs.