Hydrodynamics of Planing Hulls in Asymmetric Conditions

The flow about a hard-chine, wedge shaped hull in steady planing conditions is simulated numerically by a Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes Equation based solver. The main purpose of the study is the understanding of the changes induced by a heel angle on the flow, the pressure distribution and free surface shape. It is shown that the non zero heel angle induces a pressure growth at the heeled side and a reduction at the opposite one. A corresponding variation of the spray occurs, with a longer and thinner jet on the heeled side and a shorter and thicker jet on the other. It is shown that the pressure difference at the two sides induces a cross flow just beneath the keel line, which takes the largest intensity at the fore part. Because of the cross flow, a stagnation point is also formed at the heeled side. Comparisons are established with results obtained for the two-dimensional water entry flow of an inclined wedge and with some experimental measurements available in literature.