Numerical simulation of the stokes wave for the flow around a ship hull coupled with the VOF model

The surface wave generated by flow around a ship hull moving near free surface of water is simulated numerically in this study. The three-dimensional implicit finite volume method (FVM) is applied to solve Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equation. The realizable k-e turbulence model has been implemented to capture turbulent flow around the ship hull in the free surface zone. The volume of fluid (VOF) method coupled with the Stokes wave theory has been used to determine the free surface effect of water. By using is a six degrees of freedom model, the ship hull’s movement is numerically solved with the Stokes wave together. Under the action of Stokes waves on the sea, the interface between the air and water waves at the same regular pattern and so does the pressure and the vertical velocity. The ship hull moves in the same way as the wave. The amplitude of the ship hull’s heave is less than the wave height because of the viscosity damping. This method could provide an important reference for the study of ships’ movement, wave and hydrodynamics. © 2015, Harbin Engineering University and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.