Bulbous Bow Shapes Effect on Ship Characteristics: A Review

Hydrodynamic optimization is an effective and robust design method that is indispensable in ship hull form performance. Marine engineering and naval architecture have displayed significant interest in integrating bulbous bows on combatant ships. This review aims to gather and assess the existing knowledge regarding the effects of bulbous bow shapes on the hydrodynamic characteristics of combatant ships in terms of historical background, design principles, and impacts of bulbous bow shapes on ship resistance, ship motion in seaways, squat, and seakeeping performance. The review evaluates the effects of bulbous bow shapes on hull hydrodynamics using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), model testing, and full-scale experiments. The text delves into the complexities of improving hull shape and how the bulbous bow design interacts with many operational factors like draft, speed, and sea conditions. This research offers scholars, naval architects, and marine engineers a comprehensive insight into the intricate effects of bulbous bow shapes on combatant ship performance. It aims to consolidate current material to enhance our comprehension of ship design and operation by identifying knowledge gaps and suggesting future research areas.