On nonlinear ship waves and wave resistance calculations

A finite difference method based on the Euler equations is developed for computing ship waves and wave resistances. Time marching is carried out using a time-splitting fractional-step method. The second-order central difference is used to discretize the spatial differentials, while the convection terms are discretized by the QUICK scheme. A body- and free-surface-fitted grid system with a cell-centered stencil is used. A Poisson equation for the pressure increment at each time step is solved to enforce mass conservation. The method is validated by comparing the numerical results with the experimental data for a Wigley parabolic hull. The characteristics of ship waves, such as the wave profile along the hull, the wave pattern on the free surface, the pressure distribution on the hull surface, and the wave-making resistance are reasonably predicted. The calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental data. Received for publication on Oct. 13, 1998; accepted on Jan. 20, 1999