Abstract
This paper presents a numerical investigation for validating KCS ship self propulsion performance characteristics by using RANS solution method and k-ω SST turbulance modeling. As the first stage of the self propulsion analysis examining the hull-propeller interaction, the propeller open water validation study is carried out. The aim of the propeller open water validation is verifying the correctness of the numerical results of propeller thrust and torque values obtained from numerical analysis. To estimate the propulsive performance of the KCS ship hull, the self propulsion variables thrust coefficient (KT) and torque coefficient (KQ) are calculated and local velocity wake field around the propeller and pressure distribution on the hull which are essantial for ship and propeller design are simulated. In order to solve the viscous flow around the propeller and hull more accurately, the optimum mesh element size is determined by performing a mesh sensitivity analysis during mesh generation process. This approach allows the reducing of numerical solution time and computer requirements to the optimum level by determining the most appropriate mesh size to be used in the model. In order to validate the numerical method used in the current study, the calculated values are compared with the test results.