A numerical study on the feasibility of predicting the resistance of a full-scale ship using a virtual fluid

In general, the resistance of a real ship is estimated using an extrapolation method after doing experimental tests or numerical simulations with a model scale ship. Since the only Froude similarity is applied in the model test and simulation, the flow characteristics between the model and real ships could be different due to the inconsistency of Reynolds number. However, in the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the Froude and Reynolds numbers can be satisfied simultaneously because a fluid with virtual properties can be applied. This study investigated the effect of turbulence models and scales for a flat plate. And then the hydrodynamic feasibility of using a virtual fluid was investigated through numerical analysis. The resistance performance and flow structure of the ship were analysed by applying the virtual fluid, and they were confirmed how well these values and flow characteristics simulate the full-scale with a real fluid. This study shows that the results of a full-scale can be obtained at model scale by applying a virtual fluid instead of full-scale numerical simulations that require more computational resources.