Mesh properties for RANS simulations of aerofoil-shape rudder hydrodynamics

Abstract

A good mesh is a prerequisite to achieving reliable results from Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) calculations. Relevant mesh properties include mesh types, computation domain shapes and sizes, element sizing, and cell growth rate. However, in literature, no clear consensus about what these properties should be was found. In this article, we strive to determine what the suitable mesh properties are for the analysis of aerofoil-shaped ship rudders as rudder profiles are commonly adapted from aerofoils, for instance, the NACA series. This paper presents a step-by-step study of mesh properties and their impacts on the accuracy of solutions of rudder hydrodynamic coefficients. A classic NACA0012 profile is chosen as an example. Commercial packages ANSYS ICEM and Pointwise are applied for meshing. ANSYS Fluent is used as the numerical solver. Suitable mesh properties are summarised.