Numerical Prediction and Validation of Ship Resistance for KCS Hull

This study presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach for predicting the resistance of a container ship model, the KRISO Container Ship (KCS), in calm water conditions. The numerical model is developed using the Unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, with validation carried out against experimental data for the KCS hull. The Volume of Fluid (VOF) approach is utilized to depict the free surface effects, ensuring an accurate representation of wave-making profiles. The turbulence model used in this study is k-ω Shear Stress Transport (k-ω SST) due to its reliability in predicting boundary layer separation as it is crucial for estimating resistance forces. The analysis focuses on calculating the total resistance acting on the KCS hull, which included both pressure and friction components. Additionally, a mesh sensitivity study is conducted to confirm grid independence, and to guarantee solution accuracy. The results show that ANSYS Fluent effectively predicts the total resistance of the KCS model at flow speed 2.197 m/s with the total CT that ranges from 0.003897 to 0.003678, demonstrating good agreement with experimental data. This validation underscores the capability of CFD as a reliable tool for predicting ship hydrodynamics, contributing valuable insights into marine engineering and the optimization of hull designs.