Seakeeping Evaluation of a Tri-SWACH Based on CFD Calculations and Model Tests

AEGIR is a time-domain seakeeping CFD code that uses an advanced, high-order boundary element method (BEM) to solve the three-dimensional potential-flow and has been developed for several years. In this paper, the latest version of AEGIR is used to predict the seakeeping of the Tri-SWACH with and without side hulls in headsea regular waves respectively. The primary objective was to evaluate its accuracy of predicting seakeeping performance of the Tri-SWACH under regular headsea waves in AEGIR. A series of simulated time domain heave and pitch responses for Tri-SWACH with and without side hulls via AEGIR have been compared with corresponding model tests conducted in the high speed towing tank in Davidson Lab, Stevens Institute of Technology. A good agreement in terms of heave and pitch responses between AEGIR numerical predictions and experimental data shows the seakeeping prediction capability of AEGIR for Tri-SWACH Preliminary Design. Also, the simulated seakeeping of a Tri-SWACH is compared with a Tri-SWACH center hull. It is found that the effects of side hulls will increase the transverse stability of the Tri-SWACH without causing additional significant effect on the seakeeping performance of the Tri-SWACH.