VirtualTowTank Ver0112 Rev2a

Virtual Tow Tank
Version 01/12
Copyright © 2012 CD-adapco. The following material constitutes a portion of the
CD-adapco training course entitled “Virtual Tow Tank” and should not be altered,
edited or distributed without the consent of the author.
Content
Day 1 Day 2
Free Surface Meshing, Analysis Strategies and Best 3 Post Processing 195
Practices DEMO: Post Processing in Marine Analyses
WORKSHOP: Simulation of a motorboat I 31
Introduction to Overset Mesh 207
Introduction to 6-DOF Modeling 49 WORKSHOP: Motorboat in Channel 213
WORKSHOP:Simulation of a motorboat II 65
WORKSHOP: Free Surface Analysis of a Naval Vessel 87 Propeller Analysis 241
WORKSHOP: Propeller Analysis in Open Water 271
Wave Generation 123 WORKSHOP: Propeller Analysis with Simplified Hull 307
DEMO: Boundary Conditions using Field functions 139
WORKSHOP: Free Surface Analysis: Seakeeping 155

2
Free Surface Meshing, Analysis
Strategies and Best Practices

3
Overview
 Volume of Fluid (VOF) Method

 Meshing Considerations
• Free Surface Refinement
• Near-Wall Cell Size
• Polyhedral vs. Trimmer
 Initial Conditions
• VOF Waves
 Boundary Conditions
 Physics & Physical Properties
 Analysis Controls

4
VOF Method
 Used with two or more immiscible fluids
 Method solves for the volume fraction of each fluid in each cell
• Volume fractions must sum to unity in each cell
• Free surface is defined as the location where the volume fraction is between zero and
one (interface capturing)
• Special differencing scheme (HRIC) used to maintain a sharp interface between phases
 Separate momentum and energy equations are not solved for each volume
fraction
• Phases share the same velocity, pressure and temperature fields
 Surface tension effects between phases can be accounted for

• Works correctly only in two-phase flows
• Requires specification of surface tension coefficient and wall contact angle

5
General Meshing Considerations
 The same general considerations (as well as some additional ones) apply as for
non-free surface analyses
• Mesh should be sufficiently fine to resolve all geometry of interest
• Mesh should be sufficiently fine to resolve all important flow features (local refinement
required to resolve flow separation and shed vortices)
• Mesh should be consistent with the requirements of the near-wall model, if any (see
following slide)
 See [1] “Best Practice Guidelines for Marine Applications of Computational Fluid
Dynamics”

6
Boundary Layers & Near-Wall Meshing
 A boundary layer is a thin layer adjacent to a solid surface in which viscous

effects are important
 The boundary layer has an important effect on the drag
 Therefore, it is important to resolve the behavior of the boundary layer in some
way
• Most flows of engineering interest will be turbulent
• Turbulent boundary behavior is simulated via specialized models
• These models often have specific mesh size requirements for accuracy
• The STAR-CCM+ All-y+ Wall Treatment models relax most of these requirements

7
Estimation of Desired Near-Wall Cell Size
 We generally wish to target a specific value of y+ for the near-wall mesh, where:
 u* y w
y  u* 
 
 The wall shear stress w can be related to the skin friction coefficient:
w
Cf 
U 2 / 2
 The skin friction coefficient can be estimated from correlations
Cf 0.036
• For a flat plate:  1/ 5
2 Re L
Cf 0.039
• For pipe flow:  1/ 5
2 Re D
8
Free Surface Wave Resolution
 The mesh near the free surface should be sufficiently fine to resolve the wave
height as well as the wavelength
 Sufficient cells to resolve from peak to trough (vertical direction)
• Free surface wave effect decays exponentially with depth, so the grid size can grow
rapidly with depth in “open water” areas
 Sufficient cells to resolve all wavelengths of interest
• To resolve a wave of wavelength , we need a cell size smaller than /2, as a minimum
(sampling theorem)
• The sampling theorem is a necessary condition, but probably not sufficient for an
accurate solution (use x ≤ /8)
• Ships generate a spectrum of waves - for practical purposes, we will not be able to
resolve the smallest wavelengths

9
Kelvin Wake
 Ships dissipate energy as they move through the water

• Part of this energy is dissipated through friction (viscosity), and some goes into wake-
making
 Bodies of all sizes and speeds produce similar wave wakes, called “Kelvin
wakes” in honor of Lord Kelvin:
 Characteristics of the Kelvin wake:

• Waves are confined to an angle of 19.78 about the ship’s track
• Wake consists of a combination of transverse and diverging waves, in different
proportions depending on the ship speed and geometry

10
Polyhedral vs Trimmed Cells
 Trimmed cells are strongly recommended because the mesh can be aligned with
the undisturbed free surface
 Polyhedral cells may also be used, but care must be taken in properly resolving
the free surface

11
Initial Conditions
 For analyses in which the ultimate desired solution is steady-state, specification

of initial conditions can be very important
• Poor choice of initial conditions can lead to transients that can take a long time to die
out, leading to excessive run times
 STAR-CCM+ provides the “VOF Waves” capability which allows you to specify
wave initial and boundary conditions
• VOF waves will be discussed in more detail later on

12
Boundary Conditions
 Inflow boundary conditions

• VOF waves are ideally suited for inflow boundary conditions
 Outflow & wave reflections

• Pressure outlet is most commonly used
• Care must be taken to prevent wave reflections (see following slide)
 Lateral boundary conditions

• When modeling a tow tank, no-slip side wall boundary conditions are often the most
realistic choice
• VOF waves can be used as “open water” lateral boundary conditions, if placed far
enough away from the vessel
• Slip walls or symmetry planes can also be used

13
Wave Reflections
 Unwanted wave reflections can often lead to contamination of the true wave
field, leading to inaccurate results
 Two main sources of wave reflections:

• Wave reflections from boundaries
• Wave reflections due to sudden mesh transitions
 Wave reflections at boundaries can be prevented by moving the boundaries as

far away as possible from the vessel
• Recall that waves are contained within the Kelvin angle (approximately 20 from the
ship’s track), so use this as a guide when appropriate
• Special attention must be taken into account when placing the boundaries far away from
the vessel when 6-DOF Rotation and Translation motion is specified as it might lead to
large displacements at those boundaries.

14
Wave Reflections
 Coarsening of the mesh one ship length or more behind and to the side(s) of the
ship can damp out waves as they propagate, thereby reducing the potential for
wave reflections
 However, if the coarsening occurs too abruptly, reflections can occur at mesh
transitions
• Can be easily avoided by careful grid design
• Can also be limited by changing the Template Default Growth Rate (Continua > Mesh >
Reference Values > Template Growth Rate) from Fast (default) to Medium or Slow
 Starting with STAR-CCM+ v5.06, a capability has been added that permits
waves to be damped in the vicinity of specified boundaries (see following slides
for details)

15
Wave Damping Theory
 Wave damping is accomplished by a vertical momentum sink applied at the free

surface, of the form:
eκ  1
where: S zd    f1  f 2 w  1 w
e 1
nd
 x  xsd 
and where κ 
 ed
x  x sd 
• xsd is the starting point for wave damping (propagation in the x-direction);
• xed is the end point for wave damping (boundary);
• f1, f2 and nd are parameters of the damping model;
• and w is the vertical velocity component
 See [2] Choi and Yoon, 2009

16
Wave Damping Effects

17
Wave Damping Usage
 Wave damping option becomes

available once VOF waves have
been activated
 Damping constants (f1 and f2) and
exponent (nd) may be set under
Continua > Physics 1 > Models >
VOF Waves
• Default values are recommended for
most of the cases

18
Wave Damping Usage
 Damping is off by default

 Turn it ON under Regions > [Region Name] > Physics Conditions > VofWave
Damping Option
 VofWave Damping Length (xsd) is set under Physics Values for the region
• May be specified as a constant, table, field function or by user coding

19
Wave Damping Usage
 Damping for each boundary is off by default

 Turn it ON under Boundaries > [Boundary Name] > Physics Conditions >
VofWaveDampingBoundaryOption

20
Domain Size: General Recommendations
L = ship length
M >= L
Side View
N >= 2L
OL
P = 2O
Top View Q >= 0.5(N+L)

21
Turbulence Modelling
 General recommendations:
• k- are the models of choice for internal flows

• Spalart-Allmaras models are often the best choice for external flows with mild or no
separation
• k- models are a good alternative to Spalart-Allmaras for external flows, especially
those with more severe separation
• Reynolds’ Stress Transport models are recommended for flows with anisotropic
turbulence
 The All-y+ wall treatment is recommended for any model for which it is available

22
Activating VOF in STAR-CCM+
 Choose the following model

selection in the physics
continuum:
• Multiphase Mixture
- Autoselected:
- Eulerian Multiphase
• Volume of Fluid (VOF)
- Autoselected:
- Multiphase Interaction
- Multiphase Equation of State
- Segregated Flow
 Don’t forget to activate Gravity!
 Cavitation and Surface Tension

can also be activated in the
Phase Interaction node later

23
VOF Model Properties
 Convection: First-Order or Second-

Order (recommended) discretization
 Sharpening Factor: controls free
surface interface sharpening
• Increase value for sharper interface
(recommended for surface-tension
dominated flows & tank sloshing problems)
 Angle Factor: controls free surface
smoothness
• Increase value for smoother interface
 CFL_l and CFL_u: Courant numbers that control the differencing scheme used
at the free surface
• If CFL < CFL_l: HRIC is used
• If CFL > CFL_u: UD is used
• Otherwise, blend of HRIC and UD is used

24
Defining Eulerian Phases
 Eulerian phases must be defined for

both the air and water
 To define a new Eulerian phase:
• Right-click on Eulerian Multiphase >
Eulerian Phases and select New
 Under the newly-defined phase, right-

click on Models > Select models…
• In the phase model selection popup
window, select Gas or Liquid
• For liquids, choice of density model
includes constant or polynomial
• Gases have additional density choice of
ideal gas

25
Solution Controls
 Transient SIMPLE is used for transient calculations

• Set a reasonable time step (see following slide)
• Default of 20 inner iterations per time step may not be either sufficient or efficient!
• Instead, set convergence stopping criteria for key variables, especially continuity and
phases
 For problems in which a steady solution is sought, set CFL_l and CFL_u to large
values (e.g. 50 and 100 respectively)
• This ensures that the HRIC scheme is always used at the free surface
 Default second-order spatial differencing schemes for all variables are normally
sufficient
 Default first-order time differencing is often sufficient, but switching to second-
order in time may help if there are questions about results

26
Choice of Time Step
 Most free surface analyses are run as transient, even if the ultimate desired
solution is steady-state
• For steady-state cases, use the maximum possible time step
 To estimate time step, target a Courant number of about 1
• Courant number represents the number of crossing of a cell of size x, over a time
step t:
U t
C 1
x
 Two choices for the characteristic velocity U
• Vessel speed: U = V, where V is the forward speed of the vessel
• Group velocity of a wave: U = Cg, where:
1 g
Cg 
2 2

27
Judging Convergence
 For naval applications, typically need enough time to flow across at least 5-10
vessel length
 For transients, make sure solution is converging to some reasonable tolerances
at each time step
 Monitor overall quantities of interest, such as resistance, lift, sinkage, trim, etc.
• For steady simulations, these should be constant over time
• For transient simulations, these should be periodic in time

28
Handling Divergence or Non-Convergence
 Is the mesh of high quality? Are there any cells with face validity less than or that
have excessive skewness?
 Is the time step sufficient to capture the physics?
 Are the boundary conditions reasonable?

• Lateral boundaries (sides and bottom) should not significantly influence the solution
• Is there significant wave reflection from lateral or outflow boundaries?
• Do the specified boundary conditions reasonably approximate the physics?

29
References
[1] “Best Practice Guidelines for Marine Application:

https://pronet/wsatkins.co.uk/marnet/publications/bpg.pdf
[2] Choi, Junwoo and Yoon, Sung Bum, 2009. “Numerical simulations using
momentum source wave-maker applied to RANS equation model”, Coastal
Engineering, 56 (10), pp. 1043 – 1060.

30
WORKSHOP: Surface Preparation
& Meshing
Simulation of a Motorboat I

31
Setup Description
m
 Boat in calm water with inlet velocity vx  2.5
s
 The boat is moved under its critical speed (Fr = 0.39)
 Water level at z = 0 m
 Single computational domain
 Two fluid phases: Air and Water
Air
z0
vx  2.5 m s
Water

32
Workflow
Features covered:
 Import of the boat geometry in .dbs format
 Surface Preparation – Computational domain
 Surface split to define required boundaries
 Define mesh settings
• Trimmer, prism layer, volumetric controls...
 Define physics settings
• Implicit Unsteady, K-Epsilon, VOF Waves...
 Check Solver Settings
 Post-Processing
• Scenes, Reports, Plots...
 Run simulation

33
New Simulation
 Start a new simulation with default settings

• Menu File > New Simulation...
• Toolbar button
 Import the CAD geometry

• Menu File > Import > Import Surface Mesh…
• Toolbar button
 Navigate to the file Motorboat / boat.dbs

• In the Import Surface Options dialog, keep all defaults
and click OK
 Click on to measure the length of the model

34
Surface Preparation – Computational Domain
 We will perform a symmetric simulation, so we need a domain at least one boat

length upstream and above water level and two boat lengths downstream, side
and below water level
 Right click on Geometry > Parts > New Shape Part > Block
• Dimensions
Corner 1 Corner 2
X -10 m 8m
Y -10 m 0m
Z -10 m 6m

35
Surface Preparation – Boolean Subtract
 Subtract the boat surface from the surrounding block

• CTRL select the two parts boat and Block, right click Boolean > Subtract Parts
• Define Block as Target Part
- A new part Subtract will appear
• Select all parts in the scene with the Rubberband Select Tool , right click on the
selected parts and choose hide
• Drag & Drop the new part Subtract into the scene (choose Geometry 1 as Displayer)

36
Surface Preparation – Surface organization
 Split the Block Surface into Inlet, Outlet and Symmetry

• Right click on Geometry > Parts > Subtract > Surfaces > Block Surfaces > Split by
Patch...
• In the scene click on the surfaces representing the symmetry plane and outlet (at the
rear end of the boat) and rename them accordingly
• Close the panel and rename the remaining surface Block Surfaces to Inlet
Rest: Inlet
Outlet
Symmetry

37
Boundary Definition – Transfer to Region
 STAR-CCM+ separates geometry parts from simulation relevant regions

 Simulation relevant parts need to be transferred into the regions folder
• Right click on Subtract > Assign Parts to Regions...
- One region per part
- One boundary per part surface
- Deselect Create Interfaces from Contacts?
- Create Regions and Close

38
Boundary Definition – Assign Boundary Types
 In the new region Subtract assign the proper boundary types

• Click on the respective boundaries in Regions > Subtract > Boundaries and change the
types in the properties window
Boundary Name Boundary Type

Inlet Velocity Inlet
Outlet Pressure Outlet
Symmetry Symmetry Plane

39
Mesh Continuum
 Create a new mesh continuum:

• Right click Continua > New > Mesh Continuum
 Select the meshing options to mesh the geometry:

• Under Continua > Mesh 1
• Double click Models
• In the model selection window, select the following models:
- Surface Remesher
- Trimmer
- Prism Layer Mesher
• Click Close

40
Mesh Settings
 Continua > Mesh 1 > Models

• Click on Trimmer and enable Do mesh alignment
 Right click on Reference Values > Edit...
Parameter Value
Base Size 0.05 m
Maximum Cell Size Relative Size 1600%
Mesh Alignment Location [0 , 0 , 0]
Number of Prism Layers 5
Prism Layer Thickness Relative Size 20%
Surface Curvature Basic Curvature 72 pts/circle
Surface Size Relative Minimum Size 12.5%
Template Growth Rate Both values Medium

41
Local Mesh Settings – Boundary Level
 The surface mesh shall become

coarser at the inlet, outlet and
symmetry, at the deck boundary no
prism layer is needed
• Ctrl select Regions > Subtract >
Boundaries > Inlet, Outlet and Symmetry
• Right click Edit...
Mesh Conditions Value
Custom Surface Size Enable
Mesh Values
Surface Size Relative Minimum Size 200%
Relative Target Size 1600%
 For 01-deck disable the Prism Mesh Model (Mesh Conditions) and set the
Relative Target Size to 200% (as above)

42
Surface Mesh
 Generate a surface mesh

• Menu Mesh > Generate Surface Mesh...
• Toolbar button
 After the Surface Mesher is completed a

new node will appear under
Representations: Remeshed Surface
 Create a new scene to view the surface

mesh:
• Right click Scenes > New Scene: Mesh
• Toolbar button

43
Mesh Settings – Local refinements
 We will create a volumetric control where the volume mesh will be refined for a
better resolution of the free surface
 The domain to be refined is defined with a block
• Right click Geometry > Parts > New Shape Part > Block
 Make sure that the volume shape exceeds the full range in y- and x-direction
and define the z-range in the edit panel
Corner 1 Corner 2
X -11 m 9m
Y -11 m 1m
Z -0.07 m 0.07 m
 Click Create and Close

 Rename Block 2 as FS_Ref

44
 Create the volumetric control

• Right click Continua > Mesh 1 >
Volumetric Controls > New
• Right click Volumetric Control 1 >
Edit…
 In the properties dialog make the
following settings:
Part Group
FS_Ref
Trimmer Customize Enable
Anisotropic Size
Mesh Values
Trimmer Custom Z size Enable
Anisotropic Size
Relative Z Size 50%

45
Volume Mesh
 Generate a volume mesh

• Menu Mesh > Generate Volume Mesh...
• Toolbar button
 Change the representation in the current

mesh scene to view the volume mesh:
• Right click in the white area of the current
mesh scene
• Select Apply Representation > Volume
Mesh

46
Summary
 In case of stronger movements you might need to make the refinement region
broader

47
Introduction to 6-DOF Modeling
Lecture

49
Introduction to 6-DOF Modeling
 6-DOF models solve for the rigid-body motion of an object exposed to fluid
forces
• 6 Degrees Of Freedom: 3 translations and 3 rotations
• Examples include ship motions and missiles
• Also called DFBI (Dynamic Fluid-Body Interaction)
 Employs a special 6-DOF Solver:

• Computes fluid forces and moments, and the gravitational forces on a body
• Pressure and shear forces are integrated over the body surfaces (additional forces and
moments can be added)
• Forces and moments acting on the body are used to compute the translational motion of
the center of mass of the body and the angular motion of the body
 Several modeling options are available (discussed on a later slide)

50
Equations Governing Rigid-Body Motion
 Equations governing the center of mass of a rigid body:
𝑑𝐯
𝑚 =𝑓
𝑑𝑡
 Equations governing the rotation of a rigid body:
𝑑𝜔
𝑴 + 𝜔 × 𝑴𝜔 = 𝒏
𝑑𝑡
where M is the moment of inertia tensor (symmetric) and n is the vector of

moments acting on the body

51
6-DOF Modeling Options
 DFBI Translation and Rotation:

• Used for unsteady simulations of a 6-DOF body
• Mesh is moved in a rigid manner according to motion of the body calculated by the 6-
DOF solver
 DFBI Embedded Rotation:
• Involves an object floating in a rotating sphere, with a sliding internal interface between
the sphere and the rest of the mesh
• Allows for larger rotating angles while creating a fine mesh only within the sphere
 DFBI Morphing:
• A variant of the STAR-CCM+ Morphing model, used for 6-DOF
• Activates customized boundary conditions so that morphing in 6-DOF can be used
without making time-consuming adjustments
• More on the mesh morpher later on
 DFBI Superposed Rotation:
• Superimposes a fixed body rotation on another motion model
• Allows for the modeling of propellers attached to moving marine vessels

52
Body-Local Coordinate System
 Upon initialization, the origin of the

body-local coordinate system is
automatically placed at the body's
initial center of mass
 As the analysis progresses, the body-
local coordinate system moves with
the body

53
6-DOF Body Properties
 Parts: A list of parts that represent the

surface of the body
 Body Mass: Mass of the body
 Release Time: Time before calculation of

body motion begins, since fluid flow needs
to initialize. The number of seconds
depends on the time model you are using
and the mesh size
 Ramp Time: Facilitates a more robust solution by reducing oscillation. At
release time, force and moments cause shock. The ramp time reduces this
effect. The value of this property is typically 10 times the release time.
 Moments of Inertia: Principal moments of inertia: Mxx, Myy & Mzz (in the initial
body coordinate system)

54
 Initial Center of Mass: Initial position of the center of mass of the body, in the
laboratory coordinate system
 Initial Velocity: Initial velocity of the body, in the laboratory coordinate system
 Initial Angular Velocity: Initial angular velocity of the body, in the laboratory
coordinate system
 Initial Coordinate System: Coordinate system defining the initial orientation of
the body
 Body Motion Option: Select the type of body motion from a drop-down list.
Free motion is the only choice at this time
 Off-Diagonal Moments of Inertia: Mxy, Mxz, Myz (equal to Myx, Mzx, Mzy,
respectively)

55
Free Motion Properties
 The degrees of freedom can be activated / deactivated independently of each

other
 This is done through 6 DOF Bodies > Body > Free Motion

56
Fluid Force & Moment and Gravity Force
 Fluid forces and moments and gravity forces may be activated or deactivated
independently
 In addition, fluid forces and moments may be smoothed over a specified number
of time steps to enhance stability

57
User-Specified Forces & Moments
 Users may also specify their own

forces and moments in a variety of
ways, as described in the following
slides
• Force CM
• Moment CM
• Force
• Propulsion Force
• Damping Moment
• Damping Force

58
Force CM and Moment CM
 Force CM allows the user to

specify a force vector acting at
the center of mass (CM) in a
specified coordinate system
 Moment CM allows the user to
specify a moment vector about
the center of mass (CM) in a
specified coordinate system

59
Force and Propulsion Force
 Force allows the user to

define a force vector, in a
specified coordinate
system, acting at a point
specified in the body-local
coordinate system
 Propulsion Force allows
the user to define a force
vector in terms of a
magnitude and direction in
a specified coordinate
system, acting at a point
specified in the body-local
coordinate system

60
Damping Force & Damping Moment
 Damping Force allows the user to specify a

damping force, in terms of a damping
coefficient, that acts at the center of mass of
the body, in the opposite direction to the body's
velocity vector (i.e. it always acts to decelerate
the body)
 Damping Moment allows the user to specify a
moment acting around the center of mass of
the body, in terms of a damping coefficient, in
opposition to the body's angular velocity (i.e. it
always acts to decelerate the body)

61
Body Couplings
In addition to user-defined • Linear Spring Force:

forces and moments, users allows the user to
may specify couplings specify a spring force
acting on the body at a
between bodies
specified point in the
body-local coordinate
system, in terms of a
spring constant
• Catenary is effectively
a spring with infinite
resistance in tension
and zero resistance in
compression. It also
For more information, search has a mass per unit
the User Guide with “spring length
coupling” and “catenary
coupling”

62
Reports: 6-DOF Body Motion
 Translational displacements, velocities and accelerations

• Specify body and direction
 Angular displacements, velocities and accelerations
• Specify body and axis
 Forces on body
• Choose from three options:
- Raw force: fluid + gravity forces
- Active force: fluid + gravity + external forces
- Raw fluid force: fluid force only
 Moments on body
• Choose from two options:
- Raw moment: fluid moments only
- Active moment: fluid + external moments

63
WORKSHOP: Physics and Post
Processing
Motorboat II

65
Motorboat
 Object
 Set up physics
• VOF
• VOF Wave
 Rigid Body Motion
• DFBI (Dynamic Fluid Body Interaction)

66
Physics Continuum
 Continue with the model from the previous workshop
 Setup the physics models for the simulation:

• Under Continua > Physics 1
- Implicit Unsteady
- Multiphase Mixture
- Volume of Fluid (VOF)
- Turbulent
- K-Epsilon Turbulence
- Gravity
- VOF Waves
- Cell Quality Remediation
• Click Close

67
Physics Settings: Eulerian Phases
 Define the two fluids (water and air)

• Right click on Continua > Physics 1 > Models > Eulerian Multiphase > Eulerian Phases
and select New
• Double click on Phase 1 > Models >
- Liquid
- Constant Density
• Rename Phase 1 to Water
• Repeat theses steps, but choose Gas with Constant Density

• Rename to Air

68
Physics Settings: VOF Waves
 Define the VOF Wave in physics continua Physics 1

 Right click on Continua > Physics 1 > Models > VOF Waves > Waves and select
New > Flat
• Select the new node FlatVofWave 1 and specify vx = -2.5 m/s in the properties window
- Current: [-2.5 , 0.0 , 0.0] m/s
- Wind: [-2.5 , 0.0 , 0.0] m/s

69
Physics Settings: Initial Conditions
 Right click on Continua > Physics 1 > Initial

Conditions > Edit…
• Pressure
• Change the Method to Field Function
• Field Function > Scalar Function: select Hydrostatic
Pressure of FlatVofWave 1
• Velocity
• Field Function > Vector Function: select Velocity of
FlatVofWave 1
• Volume Fraction
• Change the Method to Composite
• In the Composite node select Water and change
the Method to Field Function
• Field Function > Scalar Function: select Volume
Fraction of Heavy Fluid of FlatVofWave 1
• Repeat for Air with field function: Volume Fraction
of Light Fluid of FlatVofWave 1
70
Boundary Conditions
 Define the inlet and outlet boundary conditions similar to the initial conditions
• Go to Regions > Subtract > Boundaries
• Inlet Physics Method
Conditions
Velocity Components
Specification
Physics Method
Values
Velocity Field Function Field Function: Velocity
of FlatVofWave1
Volume Composite Composite > Water / Air: Field Function: Volume Fraction of
Fraction Method: Field Function Heavy / Light Fluid of FlatVofWave 1
• Outlet Physics Method

Values
Pressure Field Function Field Function: Hydrostatic
Pressure of FlatVofWave1
Volume Composite Composite > Water / Air: Field Function: Volume Fraction
Fraction Method: Field Function Water / Air
Note: At the outlet it is not the volume fraction of the wave

71
6-DOF Motion
 Create a motion by right clicking on Tools > Motions > New > DFBI Rotation and
Translation
 Assign the motion to region Subtract
• Click on Regions > Subtract > Physics Values > Motion Specification
• In the properties window select DFBI Rotation and Translation as Motion
 After that a new node called DFBI appears

72
6-DOF Body
 Specify the values of the rigid body (boat)

• Right click on DFBI > 6-DOF Bodies > New
 This automatically creates a Body Local

Coordinate System that will be placed at
the body’s centre of mass
 As the analysis progresses, this local
coordinate system moves with the body

73
6-DOF Body Settings
 Select the new DFBI node and select the

parts which belong to the boat
• In the properties window of DFBI > 6-DOF
Bodies > Body 1
• Parts: 01-deck, 01-hull, 01-stern
 Specify the other values as per the table
below
Parameter Value
Body Mass 150 kg
Release Time 0.2 s
Ramp Time 0.5 s
Moments of Inertia [1000, 1000, 1000] kg-m^2
Default Settings:
Initial Center of Mass [0, 0, 0] m
Initial Coordinate System Laboratory

74
6-DOF Body Settings

75
Motion and Solver Settings
 Modify the free motion

• Under 6-DOF Bodies > Body 1 > Free
Motion
• Mark the small boxes next to Z Motion
(Sinkage) and Y Rotation (Trim)
 The last thing to do is to set the

solver settings:
• Under Solvers > Implicit Unsteady
• Change Time-Step to 0.01s

76
Stopping Criteria
 Set the stopping criteria to control the calculation sequence in analysis

• Under Stopping Criteria
• Set the following parameters:
- Maximum Inner Iterations: 3
- Maximum Physical Time: 5 s
- Maximum Steps: Disabled
3 5.0 s

77
Scalar Scene – Volume Fraction
 Create a scalar scene to view scalar quantities:

• Right click Scenes > New Scene: Scalar
• Toolbar button
• Rename scene as VOF
• Select Displayers > Scalar 1

• In the properties window, set:
- Contour Style: Smooth Filled

78
Scalar Scene – Volume Fraction
 Select the parts and scalar value to visualize:

• Go to the scene/plot tab
• Under Displayers > Scalar 1

• Select Parts
- Symmetry
• Select Scalar Field

- Function: Volume Fraction of Air
• Change the view:

- Drag the mouse cursor into the scene and press S on your keyboard

79
Derived Part – Free Surface
 For the Elevation Scene create an

isosurface to show where volume
fraction of air is at 50%
• Right click Derived Parts > New Part >
Iso Surface…
• In the edit panel choose

- Scalar: Volume Fraction of Air
- Isovalue: 0.5
- Display: No Displayer
• Create and Close

80
Scalar Scene – Free Surface
 Create a new Scalar Scene

 Settings of displayer
Scalar 1
• Contour Style: Smooth Filled
• Transform: Symmetry 1
• Parts: Derived Parts> iso
• Scalar Field: Centroid >
Laboratory > Z
 Settings of displayer
Outline 1
• Parts: three boat boundaries
• Enable Surface
• Transform: Symmetry 1

81
Plot – Drag and Lift
 Create a new report

• Right click Reports > New Report > 6-DOF Body Force
• Rename as Drag
 Create a second body force report
• Rename as Lift
• Change Direction to [0, 0, 1]

82
Plot – Drag and Lift
 Ctrl select both reports, right click Create Monitor and Plot from Report
 In the upcoming window select Single Plot
 Select Monitors and change the Trigger of these two plots to Time Step
 Rename the plot to Force Plot

83
Plot – Sink and Trim
 Create a new report: 6-DOF Body Translation

 Rename it to Sinkage and change the
Direction to [0.0 , 0.0 , 1.0]
 Create a 4th report: 6-DOF Body Orientation

 Rename it to Trim and change the Angle
Report Option to Rotation Y Axis
 Create one single plot of the two created

reports
 Change the Trigger of the new monitors to
Time Step
 Rename the plot to Motion Plot

84
Run Analysis
 Open both plots

 Run the simulation:
• Menu Solution > Run
• Toolbar button

85
WORKSHOP: Free Surface
Naval Vessel

87
Introduction
 Problem Definition
• Bare-hull model of a naval combatant (DTMB 5415)
- Length between perpendiculars is 5.72 m
• Constant speed and heading
• Undisturbed free surface (initially)
 Key Features
• Hexahedral meshing with prismatic layers
• Volume of Fluid (VOF) free surface analysis
• Velocity inlet & pressure outlet
• Symmetry boundaries on the sides and at the top
 Analysis Conditions
• Forward speed: 4.07 knots (2.097 m/s)
• Froude number: 0.28

88
Ship Resistance
 Froude hypothesized that ship resistance can be broken into two components:
• Frictional resistance: drag due to the effect of shear stresses on the hull
• “Residuary” resistance: all other resistance that is not frictional resistance, mainly wave-
making resistance and eddy-making resistance
 Frictional resistance is a function of Reynolds’ number:

UL
Re 

where U is the ship speed, L is a characteristic length and  and  are the
density and dynamic viscosity of the water, respectively
 Residuary resistance is a function of Froude number:
U
Fr 
gL

89
Resistance Coefficient
 Both the frictional and the residuary resistance can be expressed in terms of a
resistance coefficient:
R
C
1 U 2 S
2
where R is the resistance and S is a characteristic area (the wetted hull area is
often used)
 Froude further hypothesized that the total resistance simply consists of the sum
of these two resistances:
CT  CF (Re)  CR ( Fr )

90
Workflow
 Feature covered:
• Import of the vessel geometry in Parasolid format
• Surface Preparation / Clean-up required
- Surface clean-up, surface repair panel, deck creation...
• Surface split to define required boundaries
Define mesh settings

Trimmer, prism layer, volumetric controls...
Define physics settings
Implicit Unsteady, K-Epsilon, VOF Waves...
Check Solver Settings
Post-Processing
Scenes, Reports, Plots...

91
New Simulation

• Toolbar button

• Toolbar button
 Navigate to the file Free Surface / DTMB5415.x_t

and click OK
• It is a good idea to save the model every time you

have accomplished a specific set of tasks and you are
pretty sure that everything is OK with the model

92
Geometry Preparation – Surface clean-up
 Using the camera icon in the Vis toolbar, select

• Look Down > +X + Y +Z > Up +Z
 The geometry includes appendages such as the rudders, shafts and struts. We
must remove all these to obtain a bare hull geometry

93
Geometry Preparation – Surface clean-up
 Open the Parts folder and note that

there are currently 29 separate parts.
In reality there is only one, so we will
combine them
• Shift select all parts
• Right click Combine
 Once combined, all surfaces are
listed under one single part
• Rename the resultant part as
DTMB_5415

94
Remove appendages
 Select all faces but Face 10, 23 and 24 (make sure your naming convention
corresponds with the picture) under Geometry > Parts > DTMB_5415
 Right-click on any of the highlighted faces and select Delete

95
Check surface
 Check the surface

• Right click on part DTMB_5415 >
Repair Surface...
• Keep the defaults and click OK
• Start Diagnostics,… Check All errors
 The checks reveal that the surface
has numerous errors mainly due to
the overlap between the two faces
conforming the hull. We will repair
them manually

96
Merge / Imprint
 First we will merge the bow and the midbody faces

 Without exiting from the repair surface panel, switch to Merge/Imprint mode
 Select the faces as in the picture: the two midbody faces as Source and the bow
face as Destination
 Click on Merge/Imprint button to merge the faces

97
Repair Surface – Delete faces
 Switch back to Repair Surface Mesh mode

• 50 pierced faces remain
• 10 Non-manifold Edges were created during imprint
 Delete all necessary faces attached to these edges
• The non-manifold edge errors disappear
• In case a hole is created, double click on the free edges and use Fill Holes

98
Repair Surface – Free Edges
 The free edges between the stern

and the midbody are repaired next
• In Selection Control activate Edges
• Zoom in and double click on the two
edges with CTRL key pressed
• Zip Edges
 The remaining free edges belong to

the open deck, which will be created
later

99
Combine faces
 We still have three separate surfaces defined for the hull, stern and bow
• Select all faces
 A new surface named Hull will be created with the next action
• In the Part Surface/Part Curve Edit section make the following selection
1. Target Part Surface
2. New
3. New Part Surface: Hull
4. OK
5. Modify

100
Fill Holes
 Create the deck surface

• Click on the green box in Surface Diagnostics
- All free edges are marked
• Fill Holes
- Remove edges from selection
• Create a new part surface from these faces (still

highlighted) as on the slide before
• Name it Deck
 Close the repair tool
 Delete the three original surfaces

• Face 10, 23, 25
 Also delete the feature curves, necessary ones will be created at a later step
• Select all edges under
• Right click Delete
101
Sinkage & Trim Adjustments
 According to the NAVSEA Carderock website*, at 4.01 knots, sinkage of the

forward perpendicular (FP) is -0.0027L, while sinkage of the aft perpendicular
(AP) is -0.00086L, where L = 5.72 m is the distance between perpendiculars
• FP moves down 0.01544 m
• AP moves down 0.00492 m
 In this workshop, we will not predict sinkage and trim. Instead, we will simply re-
orient the hull geometry to the correct sinkage and trim, as prescribed above
 The next few slides describe the process used to adjust the hull orientation
* http://www.dt.navy.mil/hyd/sur-shi-mod/bar-hul-res/index.html

102
 Click on Tools > Coordinate Systems > Laboratory

 From this we can see that the global (Laboratory) coordinate system is located
on the undisturbed waterline at the forward perpendicular

103
 We will start by translating the hull downward to account for the sinkage of the
aft perpendicular
• Right-click on Geometry > Parts > DTMB_5415 > Transform > Translate
• In the Translate Parts window, set the Z-translation to -0.00492 m, then click Apply and
Close
 Now we need to rotate the hull about the adjusted AP point to get the correct FP
sinkage

104
 First, define a cylindrical coordinate system at the

adjusted FP point
 Right-click on Tools > Coordinate Systems >
Laboratory > Local Coordinate Systems > New >
Cylindrical
 Fill in the values as shown, then click Create

• Origin: [ 5.72 , 0 , -0.00492 ] m
• Radial Direction: [ 1 , 0 , 0 ]
• Tangential Direction: [ 0 , 0 , 1 ]

105
 This creates a cylindrical coordinate system at the adjusted AP point, with the
z-axis oriented to be the axis of rotation

106
 We will now rotate the hull about the Z-axis of the new coordinate system (a
rotation of 0.10538 degrees will result in the correct FP sinkage)
• Right-click on Geometry > Parts > DTMB_5415 > Transform > Rotate
• In the Rotate Parts window, set the angle to 0.10538 degrees, and the Coordinate
System to Laboratory > Cylindrical 1, then click Apply and Close

107
Flow Domain
 We are now ready to create the flow domain around the hull
• The flow domain will consist of the volume inside of the box and the outside of the hull
• A symmetry boundary will be used along the mid-plane of the hull (only half of the hull
will be modelled)
 In the direction of ship travel, the domain will extend approx. 1 ship-length
upstream of the bow and about 2.5 ship-lengths downstream of the stern
 In the lateral direction, the domain will extend from the mid-plane far enough so
that all ship-generated waves travel through the rear of the domain (outlet)
 In the vertical direction, the domain will extend just above the deck on the top
(~1 ship-length) and about another ship-length below the keel on the bottom

108
Box surrounding hull
 Create a box around the boat

• Right-click on Geometry > Parts > New Shape Part > Block
Corner 1 Corner 2
X -8 m 15 m
Y -10 m 0m
Z -10 m 7.5 m
 Subtract the boat from the surrounding box

• Ctrl select both parts
• Right click Boolean > Subtract Parts…
• Choose Block as Target

109
Box / vessel intersection
 Split the block in six surfaces

• Right click on Parts > Subtract > Surfaces > Block Surface > Split by Angle
• Leave defaults in the upcoming window and click Apply
• Rename the six surfaces
Top Side
Inlet
Symmetry
Outlet
Bottom

110
Split vessel faces
 The part curves for the hull need to

be created as the only existing ones
are the block curves and the result
from subtract operation
• Right click Geometry > Parts > Curves
> Compute Part Curves and select only
Mark part surface perimeters

111
Assign parts to regions
 All surfaces are properly grouped in the relevant faces, which need now to be
transferred into boundaries
• Right-click on the part Subtract and select Assign Parts to Regions...
- One feature curve for all part curves
- Create Regions

112
Boundary types
 Defining the boundary conditions is the only step left prior to enter the mesh
settings
 The previous workshop was an open-water simulation, therefore side walls, top
and bottom and front boundaries were defined as Velocity Inlet.
 As we are simulating a towing tank, the boundary types should be defined as:

 Save simulation
and close
Symmetry
Symmetry Plane
Side
Bottom
Top
Wall
Hull
Deck

113
Gothenburg Workshop 2010
 CD-adapco performed a series of simulations for some of the test cases used in
the Gothenburg 2010 Workshop on Numerical Ship Hydrodynamics. These
include resistance, wave profile and trim/sinkage prediction for three hulls:
• KRISO Very Large Crude Carrier (KVLCC)
• Kriso Container Ship (KCS)
• US Navy Combatant (DTMB 5415)
 The simulations were performed using STAR-CCM+ and the results were
compared with the towing tank data used in the Gothenburg 2010 Workshop.
Both .sim files as well as PDF-reports will be provided during this course for
future reference.
 Therefore, the following steps
• Mesh Settings
• Physics Settings
• Solver Settings
will not be manually defined, but studied from the file DTMBmedFn028.sim

114
Mesh settings
 Load the file DTMBmedFn028.sim in STAR-CCM+ and pay close attention to

the mesh configuration:
 Volumetric Controls:
• To define areas of refinement at the free surface, around the hull and where waves are
to be resolved
• To control the mesh size transition in order to avoid wave reflections
• To optimize cell count
 Mesh transition also controlled by the Template Growth Rate
 Cell count optimized by disabling prism layer mesher at the deck and the stern

115
Physics settings
 Cell Quality Remediation enabled

116
Physics settings
 VOF Properties: Increase CFL

upper and lower levels in order to
guarantee HRIC scheme is used all
over the free surface

117
Physics settings
 Wave Damping: STAR-CCM+ includes a VOF Wave damping capability that

allows the user to “kill” the waves in the vicinity of the selected boundaries in
order to reduce wave oscillation, and hence reducing potential wave reflection,
at those boundaries
• To enable wave damping and set the damping length (distance from the VOF wave
damping-enabled boundary at which the damping starts):
- Regions > DTMB5415 > Physics Conditions > VofWave Damping Option > switch to Damping
- Regions > DTMB5415 > Physics Values > VofWave Damping Length
• Select the boundaries where the damping will be applied:
- Switch the VofWaveDampingBoundaryOption to YES

118
Physics settings
 STAR-CCM+ allows the user to plot the Damping Boundary Distance in order to
visualize the cells where the damping will occur
• Create a new scalar scene
• Drag the iso surface iso from derived part to the display window and place it into the
scalar displayer Scalar 1
• Select Damping Boundary Distance as Scalar Field > Function
- Change Min – Max to 0 and 5
- Color Bar > Levels: 5

119
Results
 Scalar 1
• Contour Style: Smooth
Filled + Lines
 Scalar 1 > Scalar Field
• Function: WaterElevation
• Min / Max: -0.05 / 0.05

120
Results

121
VOF Waves in STAR-CCM+
Lecture

123
Introduction to VOF Waves
 VOF waves are optionally created in conjunction with the VOF model
• Useful for specifying initial and boundary conditions for free-surface problems
• The VOF model must be activated to use VOF waves
 Types of VOF waves:
• Flat: calm (undisturbed) free surface
• First Order: first order (linear) approximation of the Stokes theory of waves
• Fifth Order: fifth order (nonlinear) approximation of the Stokes theory of waves
• Superposition: addition of two or more first-order waves
• Irregular: impose a wave field with amplitudes and frequencies distributed according to
a wave spectrum (Pierson-Moskowitz or JONSWAP)

124
Creating New VOF Waves
 After the VOF model has been

activated, the VOF Waves tab
appears under the physics continuum
 A new VOF wave can be created with
a right click on Waves in this node,
and the type has to be selected
 The new VOF wave will then appear
under the VOF Waves tab (i.e. flat
wave)
• Click on it and edit the values in the
Properties window

125
Flat VOF Wave Properties
 Point On Water Level: Defines the position of the free surface

 Vertical Direction: Normal vector to the free surface
 Current: Velocity of the heavy fluid (i.e. water)
 Wind: Velocity of the light fluid (i.e. air)
 Light Fluid Density: Density of the light fluid (i.e. air)
 Heavy Fluid Density: Density of the heavy fluid (i.e. water)

126
First Order VOF Waves
 Wave height is defined as:  ( x, t )  A cos ( K  x   t ) e kz
 Vertical velocity is defined as:  v (x, t )  A  sin (K  x   t ) e k z
 Horizontal velocity is defined as:  h (x, t )  A  cos (K  x   t ) e kz
where A is the wave amplitude,  is the wave frequency , K is the wave vector,
k = |K| = wave number, and z is the vertical distance from the mean water
level
 The wave number k is related to the wavelength  by k = 2 / 
 The frequency  is related to the wave number K by the linear dispersion
relation 2 = g K, where g is the gravitational acceleration

127
First Order VOF Wave Properties
 Point On Water Level: Defines mean free surface level on the

leading front of the wave
 Vertical Direction: Normal vector to the mean free surface
 Advancing Direction: Direction travelled by the wave
 Amplitude: Wave amplitude (half the crest-to-trough
dimension in vertical direction)
 Specification Type: Specify either WaveLength
(crest-to-crest in horizontal direction) or Wave Period
 Deep Water Approximation: Deselect to specify
Water Depth
 Light Fluid Density: Density of the light fluid (i.e. air)
 Heavy Fluid Density: Density of the heavy fluid (i.e. water)

128
Fifth Order VOF Waves
 Surface waves are linear only if their height is “small”

• In practice this means for A·K < 0.05 (approximately)
• In deep water, waves break when A·K > 0.43
 Nonlinear waves are not sinusoidal – the have a sharper crest and a more
shallow trough, as shown in the picture below
 Fifth-order VOF waves represent an approximation to exact nonlinear waves,
valid up to fifth-order in the wave steepness A·K
Crest
Trough

129
Fifth Order VOF Wave Properties
 Point On Water Level: Defines mean free surface level on the

leading front of the wave
 Vertical Direction: Normal vector to the free surface
 Advancing Direction: Direction of wave travel
 Specification Type: Specify either Wave Length or Wave
Period
 Additional Velocity: Additional velocity specification (typically
used when solving for ship motion in a reference frame that is
fixed to the vessel)
 WaveHeight: Vertical distance from crest to trough
 WaterDepth: Depth of water body
 Light Fluid Density: Density of light fluid
 Heavy Fluid Density: Density of heavy fluid
Reference: [1] Fenton, John D. 1985

130
Superposition VOF Wave Properties
 A superposition VOF wave simply represents the

linear addition of two or more first-order waves
• Therefore the properties of superposition waves are very
similar to first-order waves
 After creating the superposition wave, the user must
specify the properties
 The user then creates one or more SubWaves
• For each sub-wave, the user specifies the Advancing
Direction, Amplitude, Specification Type (Wave
Length or Wave Period) and Phase (angle)
• Each SubWave can also be Enabled or not

131
Ocean Waves
 The shape of the sea surface results from a linear

superposition of waves of all possible wavelengths or
frequencies travelling in all possible directions
 However, it also possesses a randomness that is not
accounted for in the above description
 The expression below can be used to describe a real
ocean, where the frequency n and the wave number
kn are related by the linear dispersion relation, m is
the direction of wave travel and nm is a random phase
having values in the range between 0 and 2:
N M
 ( x, t )    An , m cosn t  kn ( x cos m  y sin  m )  nm 
n 1m 1

132
Ocean Wave Spectra
 For linear free surface waves, it can be shown

that the wave energy is proportional to the
square of the amplitude
 Therefore, in the equation of the previous slide,
the amplitude A(n , m ) is related to the
energy of the waves at each frequency and
direction
 The wave energy distribution can be expressed
as the directional wave spectrum S(,  )
 More commonly, the wave spectrum is reported Wave spectra of a fully developed sea for different
wind speeds according to Moskowitz (1964) [3]
as the integral of the directional spectrum over
all directions, S( )
 Various idealized forms of the wave spectrum
generated by steady, homogeneous winds
have been proposed. Two important ones are
the Pierson-Moskowitz and JONSWAP spectra
133
Irregular VOF Waves
 STAR-CCM+ offers the irregular VOF wave option which may be used to
describe a short-term sea state by a wave spectrum, that is, the power spectral
density function of the vertical sea surface displacement
• The Pierson-Moskowitz spectrum and JONSWAP spectrum are frequently applied for
wind seas
• Both spectra describe wind sea conditions that often occur for the most severe sea
states

134
Pierson-Moskowitz Spectrum
 The Pierson-Moskowitz spectrum is described by:
 4 

5 ω 
S (ω)  ( H S2ω 4p )ω 5 exp    
5
PM 16  4  ωp  
 
where Hs (SignificantWaveHeight) and p

(PeakWavePeriod) are adjustable model
parameters
 User also specifies the Number of Frequencies

to be used in computing the wave field
Wave spectra of a fully developed sea for different

wind speeds according to Moskowitz (1964) [3]

135
JONSWAP Spectrum
 The JONSWAP spectrum, proposed from Hasselmann et al., is bascially a

modifcation of the Pierson-Moskowitz spectrum and therefore most of the input
parameters are the same for the two models
 The JONSWAP spectrum is described by:
  ω -ω p 
2
exp   0.5  
 
  σω p  
S J (ω)  Aγ S PM (ω) γ
where A = 1 - 0.287 ln() is a normalizing factor,

 is the dimensionless Peak Shape Parameter
and  is the spectral width parameter which is
equal to a (Spectral Width A) for   p and
equal to b (Spectral Width B) for  > p
Wave spectra of a developing sea for different
From: Det Norske Veritas, 2007 [2] fetches according to Hasselmann et al., (1973) [3]

136
Reference
[1] Fenton, John D. 1985. “A Fifth-Order Stokes Theory for Steady Waves”,
J. Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Eng., 111 (2), pp. 216-234
[2] Det Norske Veritas. 2007. Environmental Conditions and Environmental
Loads, Recommended Practice DNV-RP-C205, April 2007, p. 33
[3] Graphs from
http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/resources/ocng_textbook/chapter16/chapter16_04.htm

137
VOF Waves in STAR-CCM+
Demo

139
Load Simulation
 Load the simulation file VOF Waves /

vof-waves.sim
 Open Mesh Scene 2

• The mesh for a section of the ocean
measuring 50 m x 50 m has already
been constructed
- Height of the domain is 11 m, with a 10 m
water depth
- Model consists of 334K cells
- Mesh is locally refined near the free surface
• top and bottom are walls
• sides are symmetry planes

140
Define New Linear VOF Wave
 First we will define a first order wave

• First order is synonymous with linear in this case
• Right click Continua > Physics 1 Models > VOF Waves >
Waves and select New > FirstOrder
• Rename to VOF Wave 1
• In the properties window of VOF Wave 1 set
- Amplitude: 0.1 m
• In the properties window of WaveLengthSpecification set
- WaveLength: 2 m
 Observe that four new field functions has been

created (Tools > Field Functions)
• Hydrostatic Pressure of VOF Wave 1
• Velocity of VOF Wave 1
• Volume Fraction of Heavy Fluid of VOF Wave 1
• Volume Fraction of Light Fluid of VOF Wave 1

141
Define Initial Conditions
 Use the field functions just described to

define the initial conditions as shown
• Pressure: Field Function
- Hydrostatic Pressure of VOF Wave 1
• Velocity: Field Function
- Velocity of VOF Wave 1
• Volume Fraction: Composite
- Air phase: Field Function
- Volume Fraction of Light Fluid of VOF Wave 1
- Water phase: Field Function
- Volume Fraction of Heavy Fluid of VOF Wave 1
 Initialize the solution,

• Menu Solution > Initialize
• Toolbar button

142
Visualize Wave Field
 Open the scene Free Surface and

you should see the wave field in the
adjacent plot
 First note that the waves appear to

be sinusoidal (as expected for a
linear wave) and that the amplitude
and wavelength are as specified
 Also note that waves appear in the
domain only for x < 0, i.e. behind the
Advancing Direction at the Point On
Water Level

143
Modify & Re-Initialize Wave Field
 Modify the Point on Water Level in

the settings of VOF Wave 1
• Point on Water Level: [ 25 , 0 , 0 ]
 Delete the solution
• Menu Solution > Clear Solution…
• Click OK in the opening window
 Re-initialize the field
 Note that the wave field now extends

across the entire domain

144
Define Superposition VOF Wave
 The first-order VOF wave was fine for defining a simple linear wave, but what if
we want a more realistic-looking wave field?
• One option would be to superpose a number of first order waves
• Right-click Continua > Physics 1 > Models > VOF Waves > Waves > New >
Superposition
• This creates SuperpositionVofWave 1
• In the properties window of SuperpositionVofWave 1 leave most default settings,
change only
- Point on Water Level: [ 100 , 0 , 0 ] m
- Vertical Direction: [ 0 , 0 , 1 ]
- Current: [ 1 , 0 , 0 ] m/s
- Wind: [ 1 , 0 , 0 ] m/s

145
Define Superposition VOF Wave
 Under SuperpositionVofWave 1, right click on SubWaves > New

• This creates the subwave FirstOrderSuperposing 1
• In the properties window of FirstOrderSuperposing 1 leave most default settings
- Advancing Direction: [ 1 , 0 , 0 ]
- Amplitude: 0.1 m
- Phase: 0.0 radian
• In the properties window of FirstOrderSuperposing 1 > WaveLengthSpecification set
- WaveLength: 1 m
 Define a second sub-wave and set

- Advancing Direction: [ 1 , 1 , 0 ]
- Amplitude: 0.05 m
- Phase: 0.785 radian
- WaveLength: 2 m

146
Initialize Superposition Wave Field
 Edit the initial conditions for Volume Fraction

• Set the field functions for the Air phase and Water phase to Volume Fraction of Light
Fluid of SuperpositionVofWave 1 resp. Volume Fraction of Heavy Fluid of
SuperpositionVofWave 1
 Note that we have not initialized the pressure and velocity field. If we were doing
a real analysis, we would also need to define pressure and velocity fields
accordingly using the available field functions
 Initialize the solution as before

147
Visualize Superposition Wave Field
 The wave field in the Free Surface

scene should now appear as shown
 This looks somewhat more like a real
ocean wave field, but lacks two
things:
• More combinations of wavelengths and
wave directions need to be added
• The wave field lacks the randomness of
an actual ocean wave field

148
Irregular VOF Waves
 Realistic wave fields can also be

obtained using the irregular VOF
wave, as shown on the next few
slides
 Estimates of reasonable values for

the significant wave height and peak
wave period, as a function of wind
speed, can be obtained from the
graph on the right
Significant wave-height and period at the peak of the spectrum of a fully

developed sea calculated from the Pierson-Moskowitz spectrum [4]

149
Define Irregular VOF Wave
• Right-click Continua > Physics 1 >

Models > VOF Waves > Waves > New
> Irregular
• This creates IrregularVofWave 1
• In the properties window of
IrregularVofWave 1 leave most default
settings, change only
- Point on Water Level: [ 100 , 100 , 0 ] m
- Current: [ 1 , 0 , 0 ] m/s
- Wind: [ 1 , 0 , 0 ] m/s
- SignificantWaveHeight: 0.5 m
- PeakWavePeriod: 2.5 s

150
Initialize Irregular Wave Field
 Edit the initial conditions for Volume Fraction

• Set the field functions for the Air phase and Water phase to Volume Fraction of Light
Fluid of IrregularVofWave 1 resp. Volume Fraction of Heavy Fluid of IrregularVofWave 1
 Note that we have not initialized the pressure and velocity field. If we were doing
a real analysis, we would also need to define pressure and velocity fields
accordingly using the available field functions
 Initialize the solution as before

151
Visualize Irregular Wave Field
 The wave field in the Free Surface

scene should now appear as shown
 A number of wavelengths and
amplitudes can be seen
 However the waves only travel the
specified direction
• A Java macro could be used to
superimpose a number of these wave
fields to account for multiple directions
of wave travel

152
Reference
[4] Graph from

http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/resources/ocng_textbook/chapter16/chapter16_04.htm

153
Free Surface Analysis of a Naval
Vessel – Seakeeping in Head Seas
WORKSHOP

155
Ship Motions in a Seaway
 Assuming it is rigid, the motion of a ship in

response to waves occurs in 6 degrees of
freedom (DOF):
• Surge, Sway, Heave, Roll, Pitch and Yaw
 The response of a ship is often expressed in
terms of transfer functions (TFs), also called
response amplitude operators (RAOs)
 The value of an RAO is that it can be used to
compute a spectrum of ship motions in
response to a specified wave spectrum
(assuming linearity)

156
Introduction
• Bare-hull model of a naval combatant (DTMB 5415)
• Constant speed and heading
• Head seas with a single wavelength of 8.58 m and a small amplitude
(0.03414 m)
 Key Features
• We will start with the model similar to the one that was set up in the sinkage
& trim workshop
- Hexahedral meshing with prismatic layers
- Velocity inlet & pressure outlet boundaries, with velocity inlets on lateral boundaries
• Hull will start out at its static trim and the heave and pitch responses will be
computed dynamically
 Analysis Conditions
• Forward speed: 4.08 knots (2.097 m/s)
• Froude number: 0.28

157
New Simulation
 Load an existing simulation

• Menu File > Load Simulation...
• Toolbar button
 Navigate to the file Seakeeping / dtmb5415sk_start.sim

 Click Open
 In the Load Simulation window, click OK

158
Model Description
 The mesh has been constructed already with the vessel at its static trim
• Further refinement near the free surface was obtained using a volumetric control
 The STAR-CCM+ .sim file was set up similar to the previous (sinkage & trim)
workshop
 This workshop will demonstrate how to set up, run and post-process an analysis
in which the heave & pitch are predicted in response to regular head waves
• We will once again move the entire mesh with the motion of the ship, i.e. mesh
morphing is not used
• The conditions will be changed such that the ship moves at a speed of 4.08 knots
(2.097 m/s), which corresponds to a Froude number of 0.28
• The head seas will be simulated using STAR-CCM+ VOF waves, where the wavelength
is 8.58 m and the amplitude is 0.03414 m
• Animations of the ship’s response will be created
• The pitch, heave and incident wave elevation will be monitored for later post-processing

159
Plot Showing Refined Mesh near Free Surface

160
 Click on DFBI > 6-DOF Bodies >

Body 1 to review the 6-DOF
properties:
• The current values are acceptable for
most of these properties
 Click on DFBI > 6-DOF Bodies >
Body 1 > Free Motion:
• Make sure that only the boxes for Z
Motion and Y Rotation are checked –
these correspond to the heave and
pitch motions, respectively

161
VOF Waves
 Go to Continua > Physics 1 > Models > VOF Waves > Waves and you will see
the previously defined FlatVofWave1
• We do not need this, so we can just ignore it
 We now wish to define a first-order VOF wave with the previously-specified
properties:
• Right click on Continua > Physics 1 > VOF Waves > Waves > New > FirstOrder
- This creates FirstOrderVofWave1
• Click on this new VOF wave and specify the Properties as shown
- Point on Water Level: [ -0.5 , 0 , 0 ]
- Vertical Direction: [ 0 , 0 , 1 ] (default)
- Current: [ 2.097 , 0 , 0 ] m/s
- Wind: [ 2.097 , 0 , 0 ] m/s
- Advancing Direction: [ 1 , 0 , 0 ] (default)
- Amplitude: 0.03414 m

162
VOF Waves
 Under FirstOrderVofWave1, click on

WaveLengthSpecification and set the
WaveLength to 8.58 m
 Note that the Point On Water Level is chosen

as a location just ahead of the bow

163
Initial & Boundary Conditions
 Recall that in the previous workshops, the initial and boundary conditions were
specified using the field functions created for the VOF waves (i.e. Velocity of
FlatVofWave1, Hydrostatic Pressure of FlatVofWave1, etc.)
 We now need to go through the initial and boundary conditions so that they
instead use the field functions Velocity of FirstOrderVofWave1, Hydrostatic
Pressure of FirstOrderVofWave1
Value Initial conditions: Field Function
Pressure Hydrostatic Pressure of FirstOrderVofWave1
Velocity Velocity of FirstOrderVofWave1
Volume Fraction Air phase Volume Fraction of Light Fluid of FirstOrderVofWave 1
Volume Fraction Water phase Volume Fraction of Heavy Fluid of FirstOrderVofWave 1

164
Boundary Conditions
 Define the inlet and outlet boundary conditions similar to the initial conditions
Boundary Physics Values Field Function

inlet Velocity Velocity of FirstOrderVofWave1
Exit Pressure Hydrostatic Pressure of FirstOrderVofWave1

165
Heave & Pitch Reports
 The heave and pitch simply correspond to the sinkage and trim in the previous
workshop, therefore only the report names need to be changed
• The monitors and plots are not altered
 Change also the names for the monitors and plots
 Under Reports, change the name Sinkage to Heave and Trim to Pitch
 Under Monitors, change the name Sinkage Monitor to Heave Monitor, and Trim
Monitor to Pitch Monitor
 Under Plots, change the name Sinkage Monitor Plot to Heave Monitor Plot,
and change Trim Monitor Plot to Pitch Monitor Plot

166
Heave & Pitch Monitors
 Under Monitors, also make sure that

the Trigger of all 4 monitors is set to
Time Step, and change the
Maximum Plot Samples to 50,000
• Ctrl select the four monitors for drag,
lift, heave and pitch
• Right click Edit…

167
Wave Elevation
 STAR-CCM+ does not provide a convenient way to monitor wave height at a

location, but we can construct a way to monitor this:
• Identify a point on the x-y (horizontal) plane that you would like to monitor
• Define a constant-y plane that passes through the monitoring point; the intersection of
this plane with the free surface isosurface defines a line
• Define a constant-x plane that passes through the monitoring point; the intersection of
this plane with the previously-defined line is the point on the free surface having the
(x,y) coordinates of the monitoring point, and its z-value is the height of the free surface
there
 The following slides will take you through the process described above in STAR-
CCM+
• We will monitor the wave elevation at the point (x,y) = (-3.5, -1.75), which is a point
ahead of the bow and to the port side, but still within the most refined region around the
free surface

168
Line on Free Surface
 Right click on Derived Parts > New Part > Section > Plane…
• Input Parts: Derived Parts > iso
• origin: [ 0 , -1.75 , 0 ] m,m,m
• normal: [ 0 , 1 , 0 ] m,m,m
• Display: No Displayer
• Create
 Create a second plane section
• Input Parts: Derived Parts > plane section
• origin: [ -3.5 , 0 , 0 ] m,m,m
• normal: [ 1 , 0 , 0 ] m,m,m
• Display: No Displayer
 Rename plane section 2 to free surface point (x,y) = (-3.5, -1.75)

169
Wave Elevation Report, Monitor and Plot
 Right click on Reports > New Report > Maximum

• We choose maximum, but there is really only one value at this point
• Rename the newly-created report to Wave elevation
 In the Properties window for this report:
• Scalar Field Function: Position > Laboratory > Z
• Parts: Derived Parts > free surface point (x,y) = (-3.5, -1.75)
 Next, create a monitor and plot from this report:

• Right click on Reports > Wave Elevation > Create Monitor and Plot from Report
 Set the trigger of the monitor to Time Step and change the number of Maximum
Plot Samples to 50,000

170
Time Step
 Unlike the analyses conducted previously, this simulation is truly transient

(although periodic)
• We would now like to obtain a time-accurate solution, at least for a few repeatable
periods of the transient
• We therefore need to compute a realistic time step
 We will estimate a time step from the speed of the waves approaching the ship
• Waves travelling on a quiescent ocean have a frequency given by:
g
f 
2 
• In our case, the waves are travelling on a current, so the encounter frequency with the
ship is:
g U
fe  
2  

171
Time Step (cont.)
 The encounter period of the ship with the waves is therefore given by Te = 1/fe,
i.e. the crest of a head wave encounters the bow of the ship every Te seconds
• Substituting the values in for our case, we find that Te = 1.4903 sec
 To obtain a time-accurate solution, we must resolve this time scale, since the
head waves drive the motion
 We will also want to Fourier transform (FFT) the periodic response of the ship
(heave and pitch), so it will be helpful to set the number of time steps during a
period to 2N, where N is a non-zero integer
• To start with, we will choose N = 6 (i.e. 64 time steps per period), which gives a time
step of 0.023286 sec
• After the solution has reached a somewhat-periodic state, we can increase N, thereby
decreasing the time step
 Click on Solvers > Implicit Unsteady and set Time-Step to 0.023286 s

172
Stopping Criteria
 We will define stopping criteria for

the three components of momentum,
the air phase and continuity
• Right click on Stopping Criteria >
Create from Monitor > X-Momentum
• Repeat for the other monitors in the
table and set the Minimum Limit
accordingly
Create from Minimum
Monitor Limit
X-Momentum
Y-Momentum
0.01
Z-Momentum
Air Phase
Continuity 0.001

173
Stopping Criteria
 Set the stopping criteria to control the calculation sequence in analysis

• Under Stopping Criteria
• Set the following parameters:
- Maximum Inner Iterations: 12
- Maximum Physical Time: 100 s
- Maximum Steps: 680 (for now)
680
12 100.0 s

174
Animations
 Open scene Free Surface 1

 Go to the scene/plot tab
 Click on Attributes > Update and in
the properties window make the
following settings:
• Update Policy: Time Step
• Check the Save To File box
• Output Directory: .
• Base Filename: fs_top
 Do the same thing for the Free

Surface 2 scene, but use the Base
Filename fs_side

175
Running the Analysis
 The analysis would take too long to run during a training session, so a STAR-
CCM+ sim file with some representative results has been provided
 Save and close your current model, and load the file dtmb5415sk-final.sim
 The analysis was run for a little over 25 sec of physical time
• The initial time step was run until the solution (heave, pitch, etc.) reached a quasi-
periodic state
• The time step was then cut in half (N=7, 128 steps per wave period) and the analysis
was run for two more wave periods
• The time step was cut in half again (N=8, 256 steps per wave period) and the analysis
was run for two more wave periods
 The solution is still not perfectly periodic, but the results are sufficient to
demonstrate the necessary concepts for this type of analysis

176
Free Surface Plot

177
Waterline Plot

178
Animations
 Recall that the analysis was set up to save .png files containing the preceding
two plots at every time step
 In the analysis that has been already run, these files were saved only during the
last wave period (256 time steps) and animations were created using a free
utility program
 The .avi files of these animations have been provided to you, and your instructor
will play them as you finish this workshop
 Instead of making hardcopies of the scenes, you could also create a solution
history file, saving Position[Z] and Volume Fraction of Water phase and create
the animation after the run is finished
Note: The size of the .simh file is proportional to the number of cells and number of
variables saved. Because so many time steps are made the file can grow very big

179
Lift Time History

180
Drag Time History

181
Heave Time History

182
Pitch Time History

183
Wave Elevation Time History

184
Time History Results
 Overall, the results appear reasonable, with the exception of the wave elevation
plot
 The overall trend of the wave elevation appears to be correct, but it contains a
lot of noise
• Clearly a better procedure is needed for monitoring wave elevations, and this is now
under investigation
 We will now proceed to do some further post processing of the results:
• We will examine the mean values of the heave and pitch responses through a Fourier
Transform (FT)
• We will demonstrate a procedure to obtain the heave and pitch transfer functions from
the STAR-CCM+ results

185
Spectral Analysis - Point Spectrum
 Create a Fourier Transform (FT)

• Tools > Data Set Functions > right click
New > 1 Point Time Fourier Transform
(G(x))
 In the properties window, set
• Start Time to 20.86 s
• Cut-off Time to 25.3 s
• Leave rest as default values

CD-adapco training course entitled “Virtual Tow Tank” and should not be altered, 186
Fourier Transform
 Assign a monitor to the FT

• Right click Tools > Data Set Functions > Fourier Transform 1 >
Monitor > New derived data from monitor
• This creates derived monitor
• In the properties window of derived monitor select Heave
Monitor as Input data 1
 Create an empty (monitor) plot to visualize the FT

• Right click Plots > New Plot > Monitor
 Drag derived monitor from Fourier Transform 1 and drop

in Derived node of Monitor Plot 1

187
Fourier Transform
The spike is
expected at
0.671 Hz, which
corresponds to
the encounter
frequency of the
incident wave
with the ship
(1 / 1.49 sec =
0.671 Hz)

188
FFT of Heave Time History
 We can reconstruct the original heave response (over the last period) from the
FFT coefficients shown in the table below (from external program)
• We will use only the contributions from the large spikes
 The heave response can be written in the form:
x3 ( t )  x3 ,0  x3 ,1 cos( 2 f et  3 ,1 )
where fe = 0.671 Hz is the encounter frequency
 The results of this fit are shown on the next slide

189
Reconstruction of Heave Response
 The adjacent plot shows a

comparison of the original and
reconstructed heave responses
 The agreement is not perfect
because the heave response is not
perfectly periodic
 The constants in the equation of the
previous slide were found to be:
x3,0 = -0.01005 m
x3,1 = 0.02691 m
3,1 = 2.2182 rad

190
Interpretation of Heave Results
 The mean of the heave is -0.01005 m, which compares favorably to the

experimental value of -0.0092 m reported in references [5] and [6] (see last
slide)
 The amplitude of the periodic response can be used to compute the heave
transfer function:
x3 ,1
TFx3   0.788
a
where a = 0.03414 m is the amplitude of the incident wave
 A similar procedure can be used to compute the pitch transfer function, defined
as: x5 ,1
TFx5 
ka
where k = 2/ is the wave number, and  = 8.58 m is the wavelength of the
incident wave
191
Summary
 A seakeeping analysis for a naval combatant has been set up, run and the
results were analyzed in STAR-CCM+
 VOF waves were used to specify the initial and boundary conditions
 A process for monitoring the wave elevation was provided…
… but needs improvement
 The procedure for estimating a proper time step was demonstrated
 Animations of the free surface and hull waterline were created
 The heave response was exported for further analysis
• FFT of the data resulted in the mean response and heave transfer function
• The same thing could be done with the pitch, drag, etc.

192
Reference
[5] P.M. Carrica, R.V. Wilson, R.W. Noack & F. Stern, 2007. “Ship motions using
single-phase level set with dynamic overlap grids”, Computers & Fluids, Vol.
36, pp. 1415-1433
[6] M. Irvine, J. Longo & F. Stern, 2008. “Pitch and heave tests and uncertainty
assessment for a surface combatant in regular head waves”, Journal of Ship
Research, Vol. 52, pp. 146-163

193
Post Processing of Marine Analysis
Demo

195
Reports: Forces & Moments
 Can choose force or moment reports

• Specify parts to include
• Specify direction for forces, axis for
moments
• Specify reference pressure – important
if parts do not specify a closed surface
• Specify whether to compute from
pressure, shear or both
 Create monitors and plots from

reports
• When monitoring transient simulations,
make sure to set Trigger to Time Step

196
Reports: Force & Moment Coefficients
 Dimensionless coefficients defined by:
 
 (f pressure  f shear )  nD  M   [r f  (f pressure  f f )]  a 
shear
f f  f 
CD 
f
CM   f 
1 1
(  ref vref
2
aref ) (  ref vref
2
aref rref )
2 2
 Specification similar to forces and moments:
• Specify parts, direction, pressure and/or shear, and reference pressure
• In addition, must specify reference density, area and velocity
• Reference radius must also be specified for moment coefficients only
 Create monitors and plots from reports

197
Reports: 6-DOF Body Motion
 Translational displacements, velocities & accelerations

 Angular displacements, velocities & accelerations
 Forces on body
• Choose from three options:
- Raw force: fluid + gravity forces
- Active force: fluid + gravity + external forces
- Raw fluid force: fluid force only
 Moments on body
• Choose from two options:
- Raw moment: fluid moments only
- Active moment: fluid + external moments
 Catenary Length, Spring Elongation, etc.

198
Surface Plots
 Can plot any variable on any boundary surface

 Useful for plotting the surface pressure on a hull, or visualizing the hull waterline:

199
Derived Parts
 STAR-CCM+ allows you to define non-physical parts from existing physical parts
• These are called derived parts
• Can be used for post-processing of solution data
• Derived parts can be used to create even more complex derived parts
 Examples of derived parts commonly used in marine post-processing are:

• Isosurfaces
• Point and line probes
• Section planes
• Streamlines
 Many examples of the use of derived parts are provided in the workshop
examples

200
Isosurfaces
 For marine problems, used to

display free surface
• Right-click on Derived Parts and
choose New Part > Isosurface…
• Define input parts, scalar (volume
fraction) and scalar iso value (0.5)
 Create a scene and display any

variable (or no variable) on this
isosurface
• Z-Position (for wave height) is often
used

201
Point & Line Probes and Section Plots
 Point probes can be used to monitor variables at a fixed point in space

• e.g. put a point probe where there was a pressure sensor during a test
 Line probes can be used to monitor variables along a fixed line in space
• e.g. a line probe can be used to measure pressure as a function of depth at some
location
 View the distribution of a scalar of vector variable on a section

• Section can be planar, cylindrical or spherical
• Examples: plot the velocity or pressure field on planes perpendicular to the ship’s track

202
Derived Parts from Other Parts
 Physical and other derived parts can

be combined to create new, more
complex, derived parts
 For example, the intersection of a

plane and an isosurface can be used
to display a “wave cut”, i.e. wave
elevations along a line
 The adjacent plot of hull waterline

values was created by plotting the z-
position of a free surface isosurface
defined using the hull as the input
part

203
Sweep Animations
 Animations can be made by sweeping a plane

section or an isosurface
 This can be done for a steady solution or for a

transient solution at a fixed time
 Once an animation has been created, it can be

played back within STAR-CCM+ using the
animation toolbar:
Step
Stop Forward
Play/Pause Step Write Movie

Backward File

204
Transient Animations
 Plots of a scene can be dumped to

files at each time step of a transient
simulation (or iteration of a steady
simulation)
• In the scene menu, under Attributes >
Update, set the Update Policy to Time
Step, and make sure to check the Save
To File box
• The write frequency (write file every N
time steps) and the file name, path and
format can also be changed
 Using an outside utility program, the

plot files can be joined together to
create an animation file (e.g. avi or
mpeg)

205
Introduction to Overset Mesh
Lecture

207
Overset Mesh
Overview
 Relevant for parametric design studies

 Required when simulating bodies with extreme ranges of motion
 Separate meshes enclosing each body (needs to be meshed independantly)

• No need for conformal meshing
• No need for regions to be conformally linked
 The regions overlap and flow-field information is passed between them
• Background region containing the far-field flow domain
• Region surrounding the body of interest
- The outer boundary of the overset body is set to „Overset Mesh“ , and an „Overset Mesh Interface“
is created between the two regions
 Transient and steady state

208
Overset Mesh
Overview
 The cells from the two meshes are sorted into four types
• Active cells
- Discretizing governing equations are solved
• Passive cells
- No equations are solved, essentially dead
• Acceptor / Donor Cells at the overset boundary and the
background mesh
- The link between the two meshes, here action happens
In this picture the

 Active cells are separated from passive cells by the Active cells are yellow,
the Passive ones red
Acceptor cells and the Acceptor cells
blue
 Information passes from the active cells of one mesh to
the active cells of another through the Acceptor cells
 Acceptor cells accept values from the other region via
interpolation of Donor cell values

209
Overset Mesh
Overview
 A meshed overset region can be copied and pasted to create more instances
within the domain without the need for meshing
 There must be a minimum of 4 layers of complete cells between bodies and the
overset boundaries
 The time step should be set so that the overset mesh cells do not move in the
overlapping zone within one time step or more than...
... the smallest cell in this zone when 1st order Euler scheme for time integration is used
... half the smallest cell size when the 2nd-order implicit time integration scheme is used

210
Overset Mesh
Example 1

211
Overset Mesh
Example 2

WORKSHOP: Overset Mesh
Motorboat III

213
Setup description
m
 Ship (L = 4.2 m) in calm water with inlet velocity vx  2.5
s
 Water level at z = 0 m
 Two computational domains
 Two fluid phases: Air and Water
 Water depth h  0.95m
 Distance to Side Wall d  2.0m
Air
vx  2.5m / s z  0m
Water

214
Workflow
 Surface Preparation – Computational domain modification

 Boundary definition
 Overset mesh definition
 Define mesh settings
 Define physics settings and motion (DFBI Morphing)
 Check Solver Settings
 Post-Processing
 Run simulation

215
Load Simulation
 We are using the previous motorboat simulation as a template since most of the
settings are the same
 Load a simulation
• Menu File > Load Simulation...
• Toolbar button
 Navigate to the file Motorboat / motorboat.sim

 Open Geometry Scene 1
• The boat geometry part can be re-used, the Block too with some modifications
 We want to compare the drag from the deep water simulation with the drag from
the shallow water simulation, therefore we export the results from the plots
before deleting the solution

216
Comparison of force and motion
• Right click on Plots > Force Plot and select Export...

• Save as forceDeep.csv
 Repeat with the Motion plot
• Save as motionDeep.csv
 Re-import the csv files as tables and add them to the plots
• Right click Tools > Tables > New Table > File...
• Choose forceDeep.csv
• Open
- A new table named forceDeep appears
 Repeat for file motionDeep.csv
 Menu Solution > Clear Solution...

217
Comparison of force and motion
 Go to Plots > Force Plot > Tabular

• Right click New Tabular Data Set
• Click on tabular and in the properties window select:

- Table: forceDeep
- X Column: Time
- Y Column: Drag Monitor: Rigid Body Force
- Legend Name: deep water drag
 Repeat for Motion Plot with table motionDeep

• Table: motionDeep
• X Column: Time
• Y Column: Sinkage Monitor: Rigid Body Translation
• Legend Name: deep water sinkage

218
 Modifying the block for computational domain includes splitting the bottom, inlet
and outlet surface from the block and shrink it in z direction
• Right click on Geometry > Parts > Block > Surfaces > Block Surface > Split by Angle…
• In the opening window click OK
 Rename the surfaces
Top
Inlet
Symmetry
Outlet
Bottom

219
 Project the bottom surface to z = 1.2 m and the top surface to z = 1.8 m
• Right click on Geometry > Parts > Block > Surfaces > Block Surface > Repair Surface…
• Select the two bottom faces and click on to get the attached vertices
• Remove the faces from the set
• Click and project the vertices to a plane with
Origin -1.2 m in z normal direction
• Apply and Return
 Repeat with the

top surface
• Plane Origin:
[ 0 , 0 , 1.8 ] m

220
 Create the local cartesian coordinate system for the tilted block
• Right click Tools > Coordinate Systems > Laboratory > Local
Coordinate Systems > New > Cartesian
• Type [0, 1, 1] as j-Direction and click on Renormalize
 Create a block at parts level using the newly created
coordinate system
Corner 1 Corner 2
X -10 m 10 m
Y -8 m -2 m
Z -1 m 10 m
Laboratory/Cartesian 1

221
 Subtract the second (tilted) block from the first one

• CTRL select Block and Block 2
• Right click Boolean > Subtract Parts...
• Choose Block as Target
 Rename the resulting part Subtract 2 as Channel

 Rename Block Surface to Side Wall

222
Surface Preparation – Overset Domain
 The boat must be surrounded by a separate box

• Create a third geometry part Block Corner 1 Corner 2
X -3 m 3m
Y -1.2 m 0m
Z -0.7 m 1.2 m
 Split the symmetry boundary from the block
• Right click Block 3 > Surfaces > Block Surface > Split by Patch
• Click on the symmetry surface in the scene, name it Symmetry
overset
boundary
 Rename Block Surface to overset boundary
Symmetry

223
Surface Preparation – Overset Domain
 Subtract the boat from the overset domain Block 3

• CTRL select Block 3 and boat
• Right click Boolean > Subtract Parts...
• Choose Block 3 as Target
 Rename Subtract 2 to Overset Boat

224
Transfer to Regions
 Transfer both parts in separate regions

 The existing region Subtract is reused for the overset part, whereas the channel
part needs a new region
• Right click Channel > Assign Parts to Regions...
- One feature curve for all part curves
- Disable Create Interfaces from Contacts?
- Create Regions
- Close
 Change the boundary types
Symmetry
Symmetry Plane
Top

225
Transfer to Regions
 The boat part will be assigned to the

existing region
• Right click Geometry > Parts > Overset
Boat > Set Region > Subtract
 Do similar with the part surfaces
• Right click Geometry > Parts > Overset
Boat > Surfaces > 01-deck > Set
Boundary > Subtract: 01-deck

226
Transfer to Regions
 Repeat with all the part surfaces, assign

them to the following boundaries
Surface Name Boundary Boundary

Name Type
01-deck 01-deck
01-hull 01-hull
01-stern 01-stern Wall
Overset Inlet
boundary
Symmetry Symmetry Symmetry
Plane
 Click on Regions > Subtract and in the

properties window remove Part > Subtract
from Parts

227
Boundary preparation – Overset Domain
 Under Representations delete Initial Surface and

make the transfer of the new geometry part real
with pressing the Initialize Meshing icon in the
toolbar
 Rename the region Subtract to Boat

 In Regions > Boat delete the outlet boundary
 Rename Regions > Boat > boundaries inlet to
overset boundary
 Change its type to Overset Mesh
 Change the type of boundary symmetry to
Symmetry Plane

228
Mesh Continuum
 We will coarsen the mesh on continuum (global) level and can remove the
coarsening on boundary level
 A second volumetric control will refine the mesh around the overset mesh in
both regions
 A copy of this mesh continuum will be created in order to set different refinement
for the mesh in the overset region
• The general free surface refinement exists in the template as Volumetric Control 1 (Part
Group FS_Ref)
- Replace the part in the second mesh continuum with FS2_Ref
• For the other a new volumetric control is created: OM_Ref
FS_Ref FS2_Ref
Volumetric Control 1 Volumetric Control 1
in Mesh 1 in Mesh 2
OM_Ref
Volumetric Control 2
in Mesh 1 und Mesh 2

229
Boundary Mesh Settings – Boat
 Change the settings in the mesh continuum:

• Click on Mesh 1 > Reference Values > Surface Size:
- Relative Minimum Size: 200%
- Relative Target Size: 1600%
 Create a second volumetric control
• Right click Continua > Mesh 1 > Volumetric Controls > New
 In region overset boat change the settings for the following boundaries
• Overset boundary, symmetry: Disable Custom Surface Size under Mesh Conditions
• 01-deck, 01-hull, 01-stern: Change the relative minimum and maximum size to 12.5%
and 100%

230
Mesh Settings – Local Refinements
 Create a second block to refine the free surface further in the moving region
Corner 1 Corner 2
X -3 m 3m
Rename Block 4 to FS2_Ref
Y -1.5 m 1m
Z -0.2 m 0.2 m
 Click Create
 Create a third block to refine the mesh around the overset region
Corner 1 Corner 2
X -3.5 m 3.5 m
Rename Block 5 to OM_Ref
Y -1.5 m 1m
Z -1.4 m 1.6 m
 Click Create and Close

231
Mesh Settings – Local Refinements
 Right click Mesh 1 > Volumetric Controls > Volumetric Control 2 > Edit…
 In the properties dialog make the following settings:
Part Group
OM_Ref
Surface Remesher Customize surface Enable
remesher
Trimmer Customize isotropic size Enable
Mesh Values
Custom Size Relative Size 300%
 Copy the mesh continuum by Drag & Drop

• Replace FS_Ref in Copy of Mesh 1 > Volumetric Control 1 with FS2_Ref
 Assign Copy of Mesh 1 to region Boat

232
Interface and Volume Mesh
 Generate a surface and volume mesh

• Toolbar button
 The overset interface is created between the

two regions
• Ctrl select both regions
• Right click Create Interface > Overset Mesh

233
Physics Conditions
 The physics conditions, motion and DFBI settings are provided with the sim-file
and the physics continuum is assigned to both regions
 Since the DFBI motion is unchanged, also the reports remain well defined
 In the template file only the Boat region existed, so let‘s check where the
Channel region or boundaries of it need to be added
• In the VOF scene add boundary Channel > Symmetry to the Parts of Scalar 1
displayer
• In the Elevation scene a derived part isosurface is used which still exists, so only the
input for the derived part needs to be checked
- Add region Channel to the Parts of iso

234
Boundary Conditions
 Inlet and Outlet boundary conditions in the Channel region needs to be defined,
because this is a new region
Physics Method
• Inlet Conditions
Velocity Components
Specification
Physics Method
Values
Velocity Field Function Field Function: Velocity
of FlatVofWave1
Volume Composite Composite > Water / Air: Field Function: Volume Fraction of
Fraction Method: Field Function Heavy / Light Fluid of FlatVofWave 1
Physics Method
• Outlet Values
Pressure Field Function Field Function: Hydrostatic
Pressure of FlatVofWave1
Volume Composite Composite > Water / Air: Field Function: Volume Fraction
Fraction Method: Field Function Water / Air
Note: At the outlet it is not the volume fraction of the wave
235
Scalar Scene – Overset Mesh
 Once the Overset Mesh Interface has been created and solution initialized, the
overset mesh cells can be visualized in a scalar scene
• Toolbar button
• Rename scene as Overset Cells
• Select Displayers > Scalar 1

- Display Mesh: Enable
- Representation: Overset Mesh
• Add both Symmetry boundaries to Parts of
displayer Scalar 1

236
Overset Mesh
 Choose Overset Cell Status for Scalar Field
 Initialize the solution

• Menu Solution > Initialize Solution
• Toolbar button
 View the two symmetry boundaries

also separately

237
Run Analysis
 Open both plots and

arrange them with the
scenes
• Toolbar button

238
Suggestions – Sink & Trim simulation
 There are certain “tips” that can be used when running a typical sink & trim study
in STAR-CCM+ to help convergence as well as to speed-up the run
• Start from the hydrostatic position (or very close to it) for displacement hulls
- This will avoid large motions and the free surface refinement region can be smaller, hence
reducing the cell count
If the hydrostatic position is unknown, a valid approach to obtain it in

STAR-CCM+ is to set the velocity to zero, initialise the flow, run a lift
report and change the water level accordingly
• Release the boat step by step

- In some cases it has been proved that it helps to release only sinkage and once forces have
stabilised, release also trim
• Damping forces and moments
- Make use of them to help STAR-CCM+ to reduce motion oscillations

239
Suggestions – Sink & Trim simulation
 Under-relaxation factors
• Residuals should drop at least 2 orders of magnitude within each time step, therefore
default UR factors might be increased to speed-up the run under certain conditions
 Freeze solvers
• Certain solvers might be disabled at certain moments of the run in order to speed it up
- Damping Boundary Distance could be set to OFF after a certain number of time-steps once the
boat motion is small
- Turbulence could also be disabled at the beginning of the run while the flow is being stabilised
 Slow ships
• It is difficult to properly capture the free surface deformation due to slow ships as
wavelengths and wave heights are small, hence an extremely fine mesh would be
required
• In most cases however, resistance can be computed without the free surface approach
but mirroring the model instead, by placing a symmetry boundary at the location of the
undisturbed free surface. This is then a steady-state calculation that is very fast - and
the result might be about 1 to 2 % worse in terms of predicted resistance.

240
Marine Propeller Analysis
Lecture

241
Marine Propeller Analysis
 Challenging analysis
• Variable section profiles, chord lengths and pitch angles
• Interactions with hull and appendages
• Operated at high rotational speeds
• Cavitation often occurs during operation
 Several analysis options:
• Specify momentum sources imparted to the water by the propeller
• Solve for the propeller motion in a rotating reference frame
• Sliding mesh analysis
 Approach used will depend on the goals of the analysis and the
resources available (both human and computer time)
 Simulation of open water conditions usually allows just one repeatable
section to be modeled together with the use of periodic interfaces

242
Propellers & Propulsion
 Screw propellers:
• Fixed-pitch
• Adjustable- or controllable pitch
• Shrouded (ducted)
 Paddle wheels
 Jet propellers (water jets)
 Vertical axis (cycloidal) propellers:
• Kirsten-Boeing
• Voith-Schneider:

243
Screw Propellers
 Most common type of marine

propulsion system
 The only kind we will deal with here

244
Propeller Performance Parameters
vA
Advance coefficient : J 
nD
T
Thrust coefficient : KT  2 4
ρn D
Q
Torque coefficient : KQ  2 5
ρn D
where vA = propeller advance speed (m/s)
T = thrust (N)
Q = torque (Nm)
n = propeller rotational speed (Hz)
D = propeller diameter (m)
 = water density (kg/m3)

245
Momentum Source Approach
 This is the simplest, but also the most approximate of the three
approaches
 Details of propeller geometry are not modeled
 Cells swept out by the propeller as it rotates are identified, and
momentum sources are applied to these cells
 Analysis is usually steady, so blade passing effects are not included
 Results can be as good (or as bad) as the momentum sources applied
• Requires a very good understanding of the physics to develop a decent
momentum source model
• Even if a momentum source model is tuned to give good results for a
particular geometry, it will probably need to be “re-tuned” for different propeller
and/or hull geometries

246
STAR-CCM+ Fan Model
 STAR-CCM+ has a built-in momentum

source model
• Intended for use with fans, but can also be
used for propellers
 Click on Regions > Region Name >
Physics Conditions > Momentum Source
Option and select Fan
 Under Physics Values > Fan Momentum
Source, specify the properties shown
 Key input is table of pressure rise vs. 4 KT  n 2 D 2
volumetric flow rate at a specified rotation P 

rate
 J n D 3
• This can be computed if the thrust curve for
the propeller is known:
V 
4
247
Moving Reference Frames Approach
 Often used because it offers a good compromise between accuracy and

computational effort
 An enclosure surrounding the propeller is identified and meshed as a separate
region (with in-place interface), and the flow within this enclosure is solved in a
reference frame rotating at the propeller speed
• Flow outside of the enclosure is solved in a stationary reference frame
• The enclosure must be defined in such a way that it would not displace any fluid if it was
actually spinning (surface of revolution)
• STAR-CCM+ automatically makes the appropriate transformations to account for the
difference rotational speeds at the interface between cells in the rotating and stationary
regions. This coupling is done implicitly.
 Because the propeller blades do not actually move relative to the hull, shroud (if
any) etc., blade passing and other transient effects cannot be accounted for by
this approach

248
Multiple Reference Frames Modeling
 Create a mesh with two or more regions

• One of these regions is typically a cylinder (or other surface of revolution) surrounding
the propeller and a portion of the rotating shaft
• The remaining region(s) constitute the rest of the flow domain
• In-place Interfaces are created at the boundaries shared by the regions
 Right-click on Tools > Reference Frames to define a new reference frame and
then define its properties as appropriate
 Assign reference frames to each region under Physics Values > Motion
Specification

249
Sliding Mesh Approach
 Most accurate, but also the most computationally intensive

 Mesh requirements are similar to the multiple reference frames approach
(separate regions with in-place interface)
 Region containing the propeller actually rotates, so passing effects are
automatically accounted for
 Involves a transient solution, which is much more time-consuming than a steady
analysis
 Time step is controlled by flow speed as well as blade passing frequency
 Although more computationally intensive, this is the preferred approach if you
are designing propellers, or study propeller-hull interaction

250
Transient Sliding Modeling
 Most of the setup is exactly the same as for multiple reference frames modeling
• Create mesh with multiple regions
• In-place interfaces between regions
• All regions share the same physics continuum
 Make sure the Implicit Unsteady model is selected
 Right-click on Tools > Motions and define a new rotating rigid body motion
 Assign motions to each region under Physics Values > Motion Specification

251
Turbulence Models
 For most cases, k- SST model is recommended to start with

• k- and Spalart-Allmaras models may also work well
• RST models may also be used for more complex cases

252
Cavitation

253
What is Cavitation?
 Definition: Cavitation can be defined as the rupture of the liquid continuum under
excessive flow conditions (pressure drop and stresses)
 This rupture manifests itself by the formation of bubbles and pockets of vapor
inside a liquid initially homogeneous
 Cavitation occurs when a threshold from where the continuum cannot remain
under on phase

254
Cavitation
 Vapor pockets (or cavities) form

where the local pressure falls below
the vapor pressure of the water
 Occurs at relatively high rotational
speeds
 Generally undesirable, due to
associated loss of propeller efficiency
and blade erosion
 Noise and production of bubbles are
of concern in naval vessels
(detection)
 Some propellers are designed to take
advantage of cavitation
(supercavitating propellers)

255
Applications concerned by cavitation
 Bearings
 High energy pumps
 Propellers
 Injectors
 Heart valves
 Other type of biomedical devices

256
Cavitation Modeling
 Cavitation modeling in STAR-CCM+

is an extension of the VOF model
• Cavitation model becomes available
after Multi-Phase / VOF models have
been activated
 Under Continua > Physics 1 >
Models > Multiphase Interactions, a
new Phase Interaction is created and
the Cavitation model is selected
• Here the liquid and gas phases are
specified (VOF Phase Interaction), as
well as the seed diameter and density
• The saturation pressure is defined in
the material’s properties in the Eulerian
Multiphase node
- Search the User Guide for “Modeling
Cavitation” for more information

257
Erosion and erosion rate
 Some further methods can predict the erosion rate as a function of the cavitation
rate dR/dt
 Available in STAR-CCM+ through
• the “Temporary Storage Retained” option in the solver folder
• or by plotting “agressivity” histograms, i.e. the distribution in number of peaks of
pressure variation of amplitude p

258
What is CFD able to predict?
 Main questions:
• Will my design cavitate? Cavitation Number Np
• Where? Contour Plot
• When?
 If the flow regime is bubble cavitation, the code can give
• Cavitation Number Np
• Cavitation Rate
• Bubble Radius

259
Cavitation Number
 The difference between the static pressure and the saturation pressure
divided by the dynamic pressure of the incoming flow is called the
Cavitation Number Np
𝑝 − 𝑝𝑉
𝑁𝑝 = cavitation will occur
1
𝜌𝑙 𝑈 2 at the extrados
2
 This number is used to estimate if

a design will cavitate
• Can easily be entered as a user
defined field function

260
Estimation of Bubble Radius
 From the Modeling Principles equation in the User Guide (search for “Cavitation
formulation”) it is possible to estimate the bubble radius from the volume fraction
according to the Rayleigh-Plesset equations:
3 3 1 𝛼𝑉
𝑅=
4 𝜋𝑛0 1 − 𝛼𝑉
• The expression can be easily entered as a field function as well
 The assumption in the cavitation is that no new seeds are generated

Some cases can show a decrease in absolute pressure
 In reality, the number of seeds and bubbles (ruptures in the continuum)
increases if the pressure decreases (exponentially)

261
Some interesting time scales
 Duration for the influence of viscosity to start being significant
𝑅0 2
𝑇𝑣 =
4𝜈
 Response time for a bubble of radius R0 to a pressure variation (p – pv)
𝜌
𝑇𝑝 = 𝑅0
𝑝 − 𝑝𝑉
 Time necessary for the surface tension effect to occur
𝜌𝑅0 3
𝑇𝑆 =
2𝜎

262
Results from STAR-CCM+

263

264

265
Monitoring Pressure at a local point
STAR-CCM+: Period T around 0.00305s frequency f = 328 Hz

Experiments reported a frequency around 300 Hz (+/- 7%)
266
Other type of flow regimes
 Pockets
 Bubble
 Jet cavitation
 Sheet cavitation
 Vortex cavitation/wake cavitation
 etc...

267
Cavitation types and region around NACA airfoil
1 Trailing edge cavitation
2 3D pocket / detachment /
separation
3 Supercavitation
3‘ Partial cavitation
4
Stresses cavitation
5

268
Nomenclature
Trailing edge cavitation
3D pocket / detachment / separation
Supercavitation
Partial cavitation
Stresses cavitation

269
Analysis of a 3-Bladed Marine
Propeller in Open Water
Workshop

271
Introduction
• Start with surface data of a full propeller in a cylinder
• Mesh the domain
• Set up and run an analysis using moving reference frame
 Key Features
• CAD import
• Surface modification and meshing
• Trimmed mesh with prism layers
• Moving reference frame

272
Propeller Performance Parameters
vA
Advance coefficient : J 
nD
T
Thrust coefficient : KT  2 4
ρn D
Q
Torque coefficient : KQ  2 5
ρn D
where vA = propeller advance speed (m/s)
T = thrust (N)
Q = torque (Nm)
n = propeller rotational speed (Hz)
D = propeller diameter (m)
 = water density (kg/m3)

273
Overview of Test Case
 Propeller 4119 - DTMB test case (ITTC, 1999)

 Analysis of a single operating point: 600 rpm propeller speed and 2.54 m/s
vessel speed (advance ratio J = 0.833) in “open water” conditions

274
New Simulation

• Toolbar button

• Toolbar button
 Navigate to the file Propeller / prop4119.dbs

and click OK

275
Examine Surface
 Note that the propeller consists of

three blades, plus hub and shaft
 A large cylindrical domain surrounds
the propeller and shaft, to simulate
an open water condition
 Feature curve based on boundary
perimeters already exists

276
Boundary Definition – Transfer to Region
 STAR-CCM+ separates geometry parts from simulation relevant regions

 Simulation relevant parts need to be transferred into the regions folder
• Right click on prop4119 > Assign Parts to Regions...
- Deselect Create Interfaces from Contacts?
- Create Regions and Close

277
Boundary Definition – Assign Boundary Types
 In the new region prop4119 assign the proper boundary types

• Click on the respective boundaries in Regions > prop4119 > Boundaries and change the
types in the properties window
inlet Velocity Inlet
exit Pressure Outlet inlet
side walls Symmetry Plane
exit
side walls

278
Units
 Set the preferred units to mm

• Right- click on Tools > Units > mm and check the Preferred box
 All values can now be entered in mm instead of m

279
Mesh Continuum
 Create a new mesh continuum:

• Right click Continua > New > Mesh Continuum
 Select the meshing options to mesh the geometry:

• Under Continua > Mesh 1
- Surface Remesher
- Trimmer
• Click Close

280
Mesh Settings
 Continua > Mesh 1 > Models

• Click on Prism Layer Mesher and set Boundary March
Angle to 70
 Right click on Reference Values > Edit...
Parameter Value
Base Size 50 mm
Prism Layer Thickness Absolute 1.5 mm
Template Growth Rate Default Growth Rate Slow

281
 We will create two cylinders to be used for local mesh refinement

• Right click Geometry > Parts > New Shape Part > Cylinder
Start End
X -300 mm 50 mm
Y 0 mm 0 mm
Z 0 mm 0 mm
Radius 160 mm
• Click Create
 Enter the values for the second cylinder

Start End
X -600 mm 100 mm
Y 0 mm 0 mm
Z 0 mm 0 mm
Radius 180 mm
• Click Create and Close

282
 Create the volumetric control for the refinement of the surface and volume mesh
• Right click Continua > Mesh 1 > Volumetric Controls > New
• Right click Volumetric Control 1 > Edit…
 In the properties dialog make the following settings:
Part Group
Cylinder
Surface Remesher Customize surface Enable
remesher
Trimmer Customize isotropic size Enable
Mesh Values

283
 Copy the volumetric control with Drag & Drop
 Change the Part Group to Cylinder 2 and the custom size to 30%
Part Group
Cylinder 2
Mesh Values

284
 Refinement of the Blade Tips

• Right click Regions > prop4119 >
Boundaries > blade_tips > Edit…
• Under Mesh Conditions check the

Custom Surface Size box
• Under Mesh Values set the Surface
Size to
- Relative Minimum Size: 1.5%
- Relative Target Size: 1.5%

285
 Refinement of the hub, shaft, side-p and

side-s
• Ctrl select the four boundaries
• Right click and select Edit…
• Check the Custom Surface Size box and set
- Relative Target Size: 6%
 We do not need a prism mesh at the side

walls, so we need to override the Reference
Values
 In the properties window of Regions >
prop4119 > Boundaries > side walls > Mesh
Conditions > Customize Prism Mesh
• Customize Prims Mesh: Disable

286
Surface Mesh

• Toolbar button
 After the Surface Mesher is completed a

new node will appear under
Representations: Remeshed Surface
 Create a new scene to check that the

surface is free of errors:
• Toolbar button

287
Volume Mesh

• Toolbar button
 Change the representation in the current

mesh scene to view the volume mesh:
• Right click in the white area of the current
mesh scene
• Select Apply Representation > Volume
Mesh

288
Volume Mesh
 The final volume mesh consists of about 390K cells

 A check of the mesh shows that the mesh is topologically valid and of good
quality
• Menu Mesh > Diagnostics...
• Leave defaults in the opening window and click OK

289
Physics Continuum
 Setup the physics models for the simulation:

• Under Continua > Physics 1
- Steady
- Liquid
- Segregated Flow
- Constant Density
- Turbulent
- K-Omega Turbulence
• Click Close

290
Define New Reference Frame
 We will have STAR-CCM+ solve in a

rotating reference frame
• Right-click Tools > Reference Frames >
New > Rotating
- This defines a new reference frame named
Rotating
• Click on Tools > Reference Frames >
Rotating and set the properties as shown
- Axis Direction: [ 1 , 0 , 0 ]
- Rotation rate: 600 rpm

291
Assign Rotating Reference Frame
 This rotating reference frame is

assigned to the region
• Click on Regions > prop4119 > Physics
Values > Motion Specification
• In the Properties window, set the
Reference Frame to Rotating

292
Inlet Velocity
 Set the inlet velocity to a constant

value of 2.54167 m/s
• Click on Regions > prop4119 >
Boundaries > inlet > Physics Values >
Velocity Magnitude > Constant
• In the properties window set Value to
2.54167 m/s
 Set the initial velocity field:

• Click on Continua > Physics 1 > Initial
Conditions > Velocity > Constant
• In the properties window set Value to
[ -2.54167 , 0 , 0 ] m/s

293
Thrust & Torque Reports
 Right-click on Reports > New Report

> Force
• Rename this report to Thrust
 Click on the Thrust report and edit the
values in the Properties window as
follows:
• Direction (default): [ 1 , 0 , 0 ]
• Parts: blade_tips, side_p, side_s
• Leave all other values as defaults
 Define a second report using New
Report > Moment
• Name this report to Torque
• Set the Parts in the same way as for the
Thrust report
• Set the Axis to [ -1 , 0 , 0 ]

294
Thrust & Torque Coefficient Field Functions
 The thrust and torque coefficients have to be defined manually according to the
following formulae:
T
KT 
n 2 D 4
Q
KQ  2 5
n D
where T = Thrust, Q = Torque, n = propeller rate of revolution in rps, D =
propeller diameter and  = water density
 The previously defined reports return T and Q, in user defined field functions the
coefficients can be calculated and then used in another report for plotting
• D = 0.305 m
• n = 10.0 rps

295
Thrust & Torque Coefficient Field Functions
 Right-click on Tools > Field Functions > New

• This will create a new field function called User
Field Function 1
• Rename to Thrust Coefficient
 In the Properties window:
• Function Name to ThrustCoefficient
• Definition:
$ThrustReport/(997.561*pow(10.0,2)*pow(0.305,4))
 Copy the field function and change the following:

• Display Name: Torque Coefficient
• Function Name to TorqueCoefficient
• Definition: $TorqueReport/(997.561*pow(10.0,2)*pow(0.305,5))

296
Thrust & Torque Coefficient Reports
 Now the reports for plotting are created

• Right-click Reports > New Report > Maximum
• Rename the new report to Thrust Coefficient
 In the Properties window, set the values as:
• Scalar Field Function: Thrust Coefficient
• Parts: prop4119
• Leave all other values as defaults
 Copy the report and change the following:

• Rename to Torque Coefficient
• Scalar Field Function: Torque Coefficient

297
Thrust & Torque Coefficient Monitors & Plots
 Using the Ctrl key select Reports >

Thrust coefficient and Reports >
Torque coefficient
 Right click on the selected reports
and choose Create Monitor and Plot
from Report
 In the Create Plot From Reports…
popup window, click on the Multiple
Plots button to create separate plots
for each report

298
Scalar Scene – Outline Displayer

• Toolbar button
 Overlay geometry in scalar scene:

• Go to the scene/plot tab
• Select Displayers > Outline 1
- Surface: Enabled
• Select Displayers > Outline 1 >Parts
- Choose hub and shaft only

299
Scalar Scene – Scalar Displayer
• Select Displayers > Scalar 1 Define any additional scenes as

- Set Contour Style to Smooth Filled desired, e.g. Velocity vectors
 Select the parts and scalar value to visualize:

• Under Displayers > Scalar 1
• Select Parts
- blade_tips
- side_s
- side_p
• Select Scalar Field

- Function: Absolute Pressure

300
Stopping Criteria & Run
 Select Stopping Criteria > Maximum Steps

 Change the Maximum Steps to 100 in the Properties window

• Toolbar button

301
Coefficient Plots

302
Blade Absolute Pressure
 Pressure side  Suction side

303
Thrust & Torque Coefficient Comparison
Coefficient Description STAR-CCM+ Experiment

KT Thrust Coefficient 0.129 0.146
KQ Torque Coefficient 0.0257 0.0280

304
Summary
 Analysis of a 3-bladed marine propeller in open water conditions was performed

 Geometry data was read in and a mesh was created
• Database of the full propeller with surrounding cylindrical domain was read in
• A trimmed mesh was created using local refinement and prism layers
 Analysis was set up and performed for one operating point
• Moving reference frame analysis was used
• Post-processing was set up to monitor thrust and torque coefficients
• Results compared moderately well to test data

305
Analysis of a 3-Bladed Marine
Propeller on a Simplified Hull
Workshop

307
Introduction
Problem Definition
 Start with surface data of a full propeller mounted on a very simple hull
 Mesh the domain
 Set up and run an analysis using multiple moving reference frame
 Change the setup to transient sliding mesh and run it again
 Key Features
 CAD import
 Surface modification and meshing
 Trimmed mesh with prism layers
 Moving reference frames
 Sliding meshes

308
New Simulation

• Toolbar button

• Toolbar button
 Navigate to the file Propeller / hull+prop4119.dbs

• In the Import Surface Options dialog, keep all defaults and click OK

309
Examine Surfaces
 The very simple hull is shown shaded

in pink
 The top is the “water surface” - we
exit
will not model the free surface flow in “water
this tutorial, but rather model the
surface”
water surface as a slip wall for
simplicity
 All lateral boundaries (sides and
bottom) will also be modeled as slip
walls
inlet

310
Examine Surfaces
 If we hide the inlet, exit, bottom, top

and side boundaries and then make
the scene transparent, we can now
see the propeller and shaft
 We also see that a circular disk has
been constructed around the
propeller
• This will be the interface between the
moving and stationary reference frames

311
Split Parts
 In order to use multiple reference frames, the moving reference frame volume
and the stationary reference frame volume must be separated into distinct
regions
 An easy way to do this is by using Split by Surface Topology…
 Requires that each geometry part be closed and non-manifold
• Right click on Geometry > Parts > hull+prop4119 > Split by Surface Topology
- STAR-CCM+ automatically splits the domain into two parts, containing the appropriate surfaces,
and creates contacts for interfaces as needed
 Identify the part inside the circular disk and rename it rotating, and rename the
part outside of the circular disk stationary

312
Define Feature Curves
 Delete all existing feature curves, if any (for both parts)

• CTRL select both Default curves, right click Delete
 For the rotating part, create new feature curves
by marking the boundary perimeters
• Right click Geometry > Parts > rotating > Curves >
Compute Part Curves…
• In the selection keep only
- Mark part surface perimeters
 For the stationary part, create new feature
curves by marking the boundary perimeters and
the sharp edges
• Right click Geometry > Parts > stationary > Curves >
Compute Part Curves…
• In the selection keep
- Mark sharp edges (default angle 31 deg)
- Mark part surface perimeters

313
Assign Parts to Regions
 Transfer the geometry parts to the regions level for meshing

• CTRL select both parts
• Right click Assign Parts to Regions…
• Select
- One feature curve per part curve
- Create Interfaces from Contacts?
- Create Regions
- Close

314
Boundary Types and Units
 In region stationary change the boundary types for inlet and outlet
• inlet: Velocity Inlet
• exit: Pressure Outlet
 Set the preferred units to mm

• Click on Tools > Units > mm and check the Preferred box

315
Meshing Models
 Create a mesh continuum (right click Continua > New > Mesh Continuum) and
select the meshing options to mesh the rotating region by double clicking on
Models (the continuum is assigned to both regions as default):
- Surface Remesher
- Trimmer
• Click Close
 Create a second mesh continuum (Mesh 2) for the stationary region with the
following models and assign it to region rotation:
- Surface Remesher
- Trimmer
- Extruder

316
Mesh 1 Reference Values
 CTRL select both mesh continua,

right click Edit...
• Use the Reference Values for Mesh 1
for both continua, change the
parameters for Mesh 1 and Mesh 2
separately afterwards
Parameter Mesh 1 + 2
Base Size 50 mm
Prism Layer Thickness Absolute Size 1.5 mm
Template Growth Rate Default Growth Rate Slow
Mesh 2
Mesh 1
Surface Size Relative Minimum Size 10%
Relative Target Size 25%

317
Rotating Region Custom Surface Sizes
 The surface sizes of several

boundaries in the rotating region
need to be adapted (default from
Mesh 2 are 10% and 25%)
• Right click on the five boundaries in the
table and select Edit…
• Under Mesh Conditions check the box
near Custom Surface Size
• In the new Mesh Values folder make
the following settings
- Relative target Size: 6% Boundary Relative Minimum Relative Target
Name Size (%) Size (%)
• Close the window and in the properties
Hub
window change the surface values for
blade_tips and shaft 2 according to side-p 3.0 6.0
the table side-s
blade_tips 1.5 1.5
shaft 2 5.0 10.0
318
Stationary Region Overview Mesh Settings
 Explanation how to change these values follow on the next slides
Region Relative Minimum Relative Target Customize Prism Mesh

Size (%) Size (%)
downstream
ring 10.0 25.0 --
upstream
shaft 1 5.0 10.0 --
bottom
side 1
-- -- Disable
side 2
water surface
hull -- -- Specify Custom Values
Prism Layer Relative Size 20%
Thickness

319
Stationary Region Custom Surface Sizes
 Also the surface sizes of several

boundaries in the stationary region
need to be adapted (default from
Mesh 1 are 25% and 100%)
• CTRL select boundaries downstream,
ring and upstream, right click Edit...
and in the opening window change the
surface sizes:
• Under Mesh Conditions check the box
near Custom Surface Size
• In the new Mesh Values folder make
the following settings
- Relative target Size: 25%
 Repeat for shaft 1 with 5% minimum

and 10% target surface size
320
Stationary Region Custom Prism Mesh
 The Prism Mesh is adapted for some

boundaries in the stationary region
• CTRL select boundaries bottom, side
1, side 2 and water surface, right click
Edit... and in the opening window under
Mesh Conditions > Customize Prism
Mesh choose to Disable
• Right click Edit… on boundary hull, and

in the opening window under Mesh
Conditions > Customize Prism Mesh
choose Specify Custom Values
- Set the Prism Layer Thickness > Relative
Size to 20%

321
Specify Exit Extrusion
 Click on Regions > stationary >

Boundaries > exit
Choose under Mesh Conditions
• Extrusion Type: Constant Rate Normal
Choose under Mesh Values
• Normal Extrusion Parameters and set
the Properties as follows:
- Number of Layers: 20
- Stretching: 2.0
- Magnitude: 3000.0 mm

322
Create Volume Shape
 For the rotating region (Mesh 2) also a volume mesh refinement is needed,
create a simple cylinder shape part to place in a corresponding volumetric
control as follows:
• Right click Geometry > Parts > New Shape Part > Cylinder
• Set the following coordinates
Start End
X -1000 mm 200 mm
Y 0 mm 0 mm
Z 0 mm 0 mm
Radius 500 mm
• Click Create and Close

323
Create Volumetric Control
 Create a new volumetric control in

the Mesh 2 continuum
• Right click Continua > Mesh 2 >
Volumetric Controls > New
• In the properties window of the new
node Volumetric Control 1 add the
Cylinder Part to Part Group
• Under Mesh Conditions check the
following boxes
- Surface Remesher: Customize surface
remesher
- Trimmer: Customize isotropic size
• Under Mesh Values
- Custom Size > Relative Size: 50%

324
Surface Mesh

• Toolbar button
 Create a new scene to view the surface mesh:
• Toolbar button
 Check the surface mesh

• Right click Representation > Remeshed Surface > Repair Surface…
• Start Diagnostics: Check all
- You may see large numbers of pierced faces and close proximity faces, but do not worry about
them – they occur because of the double boundaries created at the interfaces during the Split by
Surface Topology operation

325
Volume Mesh

• Toolbar button
 Change the representation in the current mesh

scene to view the volume mesh:
• Right click in the white area of the current mesh scene
• Select Apply Representation > Volume Mesh
• The mesh should consist of around 310K cells, and

the mesh quality should be very good
• Create a few plane sections to examine the mesh

326
Physics Models
 An empty physics continuum has

been created after mesh completion
and is assigned to both regions
 Add the required physics models
• Right click Continua > Physics 1 >
Select Models…
• Enable the physics models as shown
- Steady
- Liquid
- Segregated Flow
- Constant Density
- Turbulent
- K-Omega Turbulence

327
Rotating Reference Frame
 Right click Tools > Reference Frames

> New > Rotating
• This creates a new reference frame
named Rotating
 Select this new reference frame and
set the Properties values as shown:
• Axis Direction: [1.0,0.0,0.0]
• Rotation Rate: 600.0 rpm (using right-
hand rule on x-axis)
• Defaults for all other properties

328
Assign Reference Frame to Region
 Assign this reference frame to region

rotating
• Click on Regions > rotating > Physics
• In the properties window set Reference
Frame to Rotating
 Region stationary keeps the default

Lab Reference Frame

329
Boundary Settings
 Specify an inlet velocity

• Regions > stationary > Boundaries > inlet
• Physics Values > Velocity Magnitude > Constant: 2.54 m/s
 Change the physics properties of certain walls
• Regions > stationary > Boundaries
• CTRL select water bottom, side 1, side 2 and water surface
• Right click Edit…
• Physics Conditions > Shear Stress Specification >
Method: Slip

330
Initial Conditions, Solver and Stopping Criteria
To help convergence, an initial field is applied and pressure under-relaxation

factor is modified
 Set initial field
• Click on Continua > Physics 1 > Initial Conditions > Velocity > Constant
• In the Properties window set Value to [ -2.54 , 0 , 0 ] m/s
 Decrease the under-relaxation factor

• Click on Solvers > Segregated Flow > Pressure
• In the Properties window set Under-Relaxation Factor
to 0.2
 Set the stopping criteria:

• Click on Stopping Criteria > Maximum Steps
• In the Properties window set Maximum Steps to 300

331
Post Processing
 Create several scenes

• Scalar Scene, Absolute Pressure on the blades
• Scalar Scene, Wake Field behind the propeller
• Vector Scene, Velocity behind the propeller
 The wake field is computed in a field function

• It is the ratio of Axial Velocity / Ship Velocity
• Create a new field function
• Rename to Wake Field
• Function Name: WakeField
• Function Definition: $$Velocity[0] / -2.54

332
Run Analysis
 Run the simulation: Pressure

• Menu Solution > Run Side
• Toolbar button
Vertical cut
behind
propeller
Suction
Side

333
Residuals

334
Vector Scene – Velocity
Horizontal cut through propeller

335
Scalar Scene – Wake Field
Vertical cut behind propeller

336
Set up Transient Sliding Mesh Analysis
 We will now set up the problem to run as a transient sliding mesh analysis and
then restart from the current solution
• Double click on Continua > Physics 1 > Models
• Uncheck Steady and check Implicit Unsteady
 Time setting caluclations:

•  = propeller rotational speed = 600 rpm = 62.83 rad/sec
• R = propeller tip radius = 0.1525 m
• V = tangential velocity at propeller tip =  R = 9.582 m/s
• x = characteristic cell size at interface = 10 mm = 0.01 m
• Courant number = V t / x = 1
 t = 1.04e-3 sec
• Under Solvers > Implicit Unsteady set the Time-Step to 0.001 s

337
Rigid Body Motion
 Right click Tools > Motions > New >

Rotating
• This creates a new motion named
Rotating
 Select this new motion and set the
Properties values as shown:
• Axis Direction: [ 1 , 0 , 0 ]
• Rotation Rate: 600.0 rpm (using right-
hand rule on x-axis)
• Defaults for all other properties

338
Assign Reference Frame to Region
 Assign this motion to region rotating

• Click on Regions > rotating > Physics
• In the properties window set Motion to
Rotating
 This automatically sets the Reference

Frame to the default Lab Reference
Frame
 Region stationary keeps the default
motion Stationary

339
Stopping Criteria
 We will define stopping criteria for

the three components of momentum
and continuity
• Right click on Stopping Criteria >
Create from Monitor > X-Momentum
• Repeat for the other monitors in the
table and set the Minimum Limit
accordingly
• Change the Logical Rule to And
Create from Minimum

Monitor Limit
X-Momentum
Y-Momentum 0.01
Z-Momentum
Continuity 0.001

Stopping Criteria / Run Analysis
 Stopping Criteria
• Maximum Inner Iterations: 15
• Maximum Steps: 1000
 On the main menu, select Solution >

Clear Solution… then uncheck the
Fields box
• This clears the residual and plot values
but retains the existing solution field
 Run the analysis again!

341
Summary
 Analysis of a 3-bladed marine propeller mounted on a simplified hull was

performed
 The analysis was first run using multiple reference frames
 Database of the full propeller mounted on the simplifed hull was read in
 The domain was split in rotating and stationary regions
 A trimmed mesh was created using local refinement and prism layers
 The analysis was set up and run in steady state mode
 The model was then set up and run as a transient sliding mesh calculation
 The analysis was restarted from the multiple reference frames solution

342

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Virtual Tow Tank

Copyright © 2012 CD-adapco. The following material constitutes a portion of the

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 Volume of Fluid (VOF) Method

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 Used with two or more immiscible fluids

 Surface tension effects between phases can be accounted for

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 A boundary layer is a thin layer adjacent to a solid surface in which viscous

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 Ships dissipate energy as they move through the water

 Characteristics of the Kelvin wake:

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 For analyses in which the ultimate desired solution is steady-state, specification

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 Inflow boundary conditions

 Outflow & wave reflections

 Lateral boundary conditions

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 Two main sources of wave reflections:

 Wave reflections at boundaries can be prevented by moving the boundaries as

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 Wave damping is accomplished by a vertical momentum sink applied at the free

 See [2] Choi and Yoon, 2009

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 Wave damping option becomes

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 Damping is off by default

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 Damping for each boundary is off by default

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Top View Q >= 0.5(N+L)

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• k- are the models of choice for internal flows

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 Choose the following model

 Cavitation and Surface Tension

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 Convection: First-Order or Second-

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 Eulerian phases must be defined for

 Under the newly-defined phase, right-

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 Transient SIMPLE is used for transient calculations

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 Is the time step sufficient to capture the physics?

 Are the boundary conditions reasonable?

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[1] “Best Practice Guidelines for Marine Application:

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 Start a new simulation with default settings

 Import the CAD geometry

 Navigate to the file Motorboat / boat.dbs