Numerical simulation of hydrodynamic interaction produced during the overtaking and the head-on encounter process of two ships

Based on past studies on the bank effect, the purpose of this paper is to use hydrodynamic principles to simulate the overtaking and the head-on encounter phenomenon of two ships.

The ship model used in this study was established through a computer aided design (CAD) tool. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) package was used to simulate the hydrodynamic interaction effect of the overtaking and the head-on encounter situation between two ships of different speeds. The conditions for simulation include such parameters as the speed of the ship model, the distance between the ships, and the navigation time.

A chart is also used to demonstrate the two ships ' distribution of flow field and pressure, and to continually compare the changes in the sway force and the yaw speed. A relationship diagram of the overtaking and the head-on encounter process is also established to serve as a reference in maritime science in terms of research regarding the complex fluid dynamics that occurs when ships are merged with the sea.

The application of CFD simulation results presented in this study for the ship-ship interaction support the following major conclusions: first, it is evident from the two analysis charts of angular velocity, and sway force that the cycle gradually becomes shorter with the decrease of speed of the V1 vessel during the overtaking and the head-on process; this phenomenon is most significant when the ship width is at 0.5B. Second, the ship-ship interaction increase significantly for a S2S value of 0.5B. Thus, the results indicate that the ship-ship interaction effects must be taken into consideration when performing ship handling maneuvers involving passing and meeting.