Computational Fluid Dynamics

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) provides C-Job Naval Architects with in-house virtual towing tank capabilities. This virtual towing tank gives better understanding of the flow around the vessel and allows C-Job to accurately determine the resistance of the vessel at every phase of the project without the need for elaborate, and expensive, model tests. Eliminating these model tests leads to a faster and more smooth design process for our clients.

What is computational fluid dynamics?

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) introduces real-world dynamics into a virtual environment where it considers the actual hull shape and desired operations of the design. CFD ‘visualizes’ the flow of water, allowing the naval architect to focus on the fairness of the hull in a certain direction.

Since the outcome of CFD analysis can have an impact on the installed engine power, on the amount of energy to be carried, and on the available space in certain areas of the hull, C-Job recommends that CFD analysis be carried out in the concept design phase.

A CFD calculation can provide a lot of knowledge about the flow along the hull shape. Typically through the use of CFD, it is much easier to visualize the flow around the vessel than would be possible with traditional model tests. Better understanding about the flow and more affordable calculations compared to model tests, allow for better optimization of the hull. This process enables the realization of ship designs with the best possible performance and a lower carbon footprint.

CFD calculations for EEXI regulation

CFD should be applied in engineering projects to support design decisions. CFD can be applied in every phase of a project, during the concept and basic design phase to optimize the hull, for example. It can also be used in the basic design and detailed engineering phase to validate the performance of the design. Further, CFD can be used in determining the EEXI performance of a vessel. This is often done when very little information regarding the vessels performance is available, for example when there is no sea trial data or model test data available.

On using CFD calculations for EEXI regulation, C-Job Lead Naval Architect and Project Manager Filippo Iliopulos says, “We’ve found that the formula provided by IMO can be quite conservative in some cases. Using CFD rather than the formula can provide a more accurate Vref and sometimes be the difference between a vessel being able to remain competitive in the market or not.”

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Project benefits

At C-Job we have many talented engineers who are familiar with using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results in their design or engineering projects. The use of CFD in our design and engineering project improves the capabilities of our designs and increases the level of accuracy for our engineering projects. Within C-Job, CFD is used by engineers for resistance and propulsion calculations, calculations of damping coefficients, our accelerated concept design optimization process, and much more.