CFD Analysis of the Performance of a Fast Catamaran with Rough Sea

Abstract

High-speed catamaran design requires accurate prediction of performance and dynamic behavior under both calm and rough sea conditions. Advanced CFD techniques enable the simultaneous analysis of hydrodynamics, aerodynamics, and vessel motion, providing detailed insight into stability, loads, and propulsion efficiency.

A fully unsteady numerical approach with free-surface modeling and six-degrees-of-freedom rigid body motion allows realistic simulation of hull dynamics in waves. Sensitivity analyses on grid resolution highlight the trade-off between computational cost and solution accuracy, while refined meshes improve the representation of wave-hull interaction.

The numerical results provide quantitative information on speed, trim, accelerations, dominant motion frequencies, and the influence of weight and inertial properties. Simulations in rough sea conditions show modified oscillation amplitudes and frequencies, while preserving harmonic motion characteristics. The methodology demonstrates the capability of CFD to support the design and optimization of high-performance marine platforms.