Computation of a Flow Field Around a Rudder behind a Propeller

Abstract

The viscous flow computation of flow fields around a rudder with and without rudder angle behind a propeller are presented through comparison with mean-flow measurements using 5 hole pitot probes. The steady flow field is computed by a viscous flow code coupled with a body-force distribution which represents the propeller. The momentum transport equations are discretized using the Finite Analytic Method on a staggerd grid system. The velocity-pressure coupling is accomplished based on the SIMPLER algorithm. Although the details of the flow field of the computational results is different because of the laminar flow computation with different Reynolds number and numerical treatment, the effect by taking rudder angle is shown clearly in computatinal results. Concerning to the comparison computational results with mean flow data, quantitive agreement is obtained except near the rudder surface. Those comparisons shows the conclusion that the present approach can simurate also the steady part of the flow field around a rudder with rudder angle in propeller slipstream.