This study aims to develop a CFD-based free-surface analysis method employing an overset grid system to accurately predict the running attitude (trim and sinkage) and resistance performance of a 9.77-ton coastal fishing vessel operating at high Froude...
This study aims to develop a CFD-based free-surface analysis method employing an overset grid system to accurately predict the running attitude (trim and sinkage) and resistance performance of a 9.77-ton coastal fishing vessel operating at high Froude numbers. The size and location of the inner block in the overset grid and the time-step governed by the CFL condition significantly influence numerical stability and resistance prediction accuracy. Therefore, sensitivity analyses were conducted by systematically varying the inner block ratios in the transverse, longitudinal (+x and –x), and vertical (+z and –z) directions. In addition, the time-step was adjusted according to the CFL condition to evaluate the effects on numerical stability and computational efficiency.
The results show that when the inner block is excessively close to the hull surface or free surface, numerical oscillations occur in the pressure field and wave elevation, leading to increased fluctuations in the total resistance coefficient . Conversely, excessive expansion of the inner block improved accuracy only marginally while significantly increasing computational cost. Based on the sensitivity analysis, stable inner block configurations were identified, including a transverse ratio (=0.4~0.7), longitudinal (+x) ratio (=1.3~1.6), and vertical (+z) ratio (=0.5~0.6). For the time-step, the range of CFL = 0.5–0.75 yielded the most stable results in terms of free-surface behavior, pressure distribution, and convergence.
Applying the optimized numerical setup, the CFD results showed approximately 9.2% deviation in compared to EFD measurements; however, the wave pattern, pressure distribution, trim, and sinkage exhibited good qualitative agreement with experiments. In the full-scale simulations (V35 and V45), variations in , trim, and sinkage due to changes in CFL were minimal, confirming the robustness of the proposed method with respect to scale effects.
The optimized inner block criteria and CFL-based time-step guideline proposed in this study provide a reliable and practical CFD procedure for evaluating the resistance and running attitude of high-Froude-number small vessels and can serve as a useful reference in future design and performance analysis.