Submarine Maneuverability Assessment Using Computational Fluid Dynamic Tools

Thanks to the constant increase in computing power, it is now becoming possible to aim at more and more ambitious results in using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The object of this paper is the description of the implementation of a calculation tool, which should eventually contribute to the setting up of a quasi-exhaustive data bank of hydrodynamic coefficients of any submarine, for any maneuvers likely to be studied. A mesh generation tool developed in order to facilitate the pre-processing stage of CFD calculation is presented. Then different cases of calculation performed are described, and the results are compared to those obtained with towing tank model tests. The validity of each type of calculation is discussed, with an overview on the actual progress. A mathematical maneuverability model has been identified from the results obtained through calculation. Simulations performed with this model are compared to results obtained at sea.