Abstract
The configuration of the inflow plane plays a critical role in self-propulsion simulations of ships using the body force method. In this study, we investigate the impact and applicability of different inflow plane settings on the self-propulsion simulation of a full-formed ship. A Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) solver is used to simulate the self-propulsion of a full-formed ship model; by changing the inflow plane’s parameters, simulation results under different conditions are obtained, and the influence of the inflow plane parameters on the self-propulsion simulation results is analysed. Based on the test results for the ship model, the optimal inflow plane parameters are identified using the TOPSIS method. Finally, the results are applied to the simulation of another full-formed ship. The calculated results obtained with the inflow plane parameter setting method proposed in this study are found to be more in line with the test results, and the calculation accuracy is better than with the conventional recommended parameter setting method. This study provides an effective suggestion for better use of the body force method to accurately predict the self-propulsion performance of a full formed ship.