Effect of bow hull forms on the resistance performance in calm water and waves for 66k DWT bulk carrier

Abstract

This paper employs computational tools to investigate the cause of resistance reductions in calm water and waves of the sharp bow form compared to the blunt bow in 66,000 DWT bulk carriers. A more slender shape at the fore-shoulder without a bulbous bow is a prominent feature of the sharp bow. The blunt bow incorporates a bulbous shape. A two-phase unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations have been solved; and a realizable k-ε model has been applied for the turbulent closure. The free-surface is obtained by solving a VOF equation. The computational results have been validated with model tests carried out at a towing tank. The pressure component of resistance in the sharp bow is reduced by 8.9% in calm water, and 6.4–12.7% in regular head waves. The frictional components of resistance in the sharp and blunt bows are largely the same. Keywords: Bulk carrier, Sharp and blunt bow, Total resistance in calm water and waves, CFD, Model test