Trim Optimization of Ship by a Potential-Based Panel Method

Abstract

A surface panel method for a boundary-value problem with the free surface is proposed to predict ship wave resistance under different trim conditions based on a so-called double-model solution. The free surface boundary condition is linearized with respect to the oncoming flow and computed by a four-point finite difference scheme. Sample computation for Wigley hull is carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness and the robustness of the method. A hull model is taken into account at two different displacements with respect to trim conditions of lower wave resistance. It is demonstrated by calculation and experiment that the wave resistance under the trim conditions provided by the proposed method is lower than that under the initial conditions.