Strategies to Minimise Numerical Ventilation in CFD Simulations of High-Speed Planing Hulls

Numerical Ventilation (NV) is a well-known problem that occurs when the Volume of Fluid method is used to model vessels with a bow that creates a small, acute entrance angle with the free surface. These are typical of both planing hulls and yachts. There is a general lack of discussion focusing upon Numerical Ventilation available within the public domain, which is attributable to the fact that it only affects such a niche area of naval architecture. The information available is difficult to find, often fleetingly mentioned in papers with a different focus. Numerical Ventilation may be considered one of the main sources of error in numerical simulations of planing hulls and as such warrants an in-depth analysis. This paper sets out to bring together the available work, as well as performing its own investigation into the problem to develop a better understanding of Numerical Ventilation and present alternate solutions. Additionally, the success and impact of different approaches is presented in an attempt to help other researchers avoid and correct for Numerical Ventilation. Interface smearing caused by the simulations inability to track the free surface is identified as the main source of Numerical Ventilation. This originates from the interface between the volume mesh and the prism layer mesh. This study looks into the interface to identify strategies that minimise Numerical Ventilation, presenting a novel solution to prism layer meshing that was found to have a positive impact. Through the implementation of a modified High Resolution Interface Capture (HRIC) scheme and the correct mesh refinements, it is possible to minimise the impact of Numerical Ventilation to a level that will not affect the results of a simulation and is acceptable for engineering applications.