Resistance estimation for a vessel is a fundamental exercise in design of the vessel. Resistance is a property that depends on the vessel’s shape and form. A conventional ship-shaped vessel with a bulb will have completely different resistance characteristics compared to a high-speed planing vessel.

Resistance estimates are done using various methods – by hydrodynamic modeling/CFD analyses or by model testing for accurate estimates, or by using empirical relations in the preliminary design phase for a fair estimate of the resistance.

Empirical relations too vary depending on the vessel type. While Holtrop-Mennen method is the most popular one that is used for conventional ship forms (usually merchant vessels), it does not apply to high-speed hulls and planing boats.

Planing vessel resistance calculator – TheNavalArch

A planing vessel is distinguished form a conventional displacement vessel by the mechanism of weight support. While for a displacement vessel, the buoyancy of the vessel supports its weight, a planing vessel supports its weight by the hydrodynamic lift forces generated when the vessel moves at high speed over water. When the planing vessel is at rest or at low speeds, its weight is supported by its buoyancy, but as it moves with higher speeds, hydrodynamic lift forces are generated by the specially designed hull shape of the planing craft and these lift forces fully support the hull. In some crafts the lift and buoyancy both support the weight. A typical body plan of a planing craft is shown below:

In this article, we will look into a theoretical approach to estimating a planing craft’s performance. A number of resistance tests have been performed by Savitsky (1964) to determine formula for lift and drag of planing vessels, and empirical relations have been provided for the drag.

In this method, at equilibrium, part of the lift is generated by Buoyancy while the rest is generated as hydrodynamic lift. The important parameters of the vessel like its dimensions, speed, displacement etc are taken as inputs, and parameters like trim angle, wetted length of the keel etc. are determined. These parameters are then used to determine the resistance of the vessel.

The method and steps can be broken down into the following:

• Step 1 – Calculate the Displacement Froude number: The first parameter to be calculated is the displacement Froude number. It is defined thus

• Step 2 – Calculate the Froude number based on ‘b’: Here, ‘b’ is the maximum beam of the vessel over chine or spray strips. This is the beam of the planing area of the vessel

C_V = V/√(gb)

Planing vessel resistance calculator – TheNavalArch

• Step 3 – Calculate the equivalent flat plate lift coefficient: This is calculated by using the formula:

• Step 4 – Calculate the lift coefficient for a finite deadrise: Depending on the deadrise angle β, the lift coefficient for a finite deadrise is calculated from the flat plate lift coefficient by using the following formula:

• Step 5 – Calculate the p/b ratio, where p = longitudinal center of gravity (LCG) of the vessel (see below)

• Step 6 – Calculate the mean wetted length-beam ratio: This is the ratio λ = L_m/b, which is obtained from the Koelbel’s curves.

• Step 7 – Calculate the trim of the vessel in equilibrium: This is calculated by using the Savitsky formula:

Here λ is the ratio of the mean wetted length to the beam of the planing area, i.e., L_m/b, obtained in Step 6

• Step 7 – Calculate the keel-wetted length ratio: This is calculated by using the formula:

• Step 8 – Check if the vessel is fully planing: If λ_k <= L_WL/b, then it is fully planing, i.e., the bow is clear of water, else it is not. If it is fully, planing, then the method is valid, else this method is not applicable for vessels not fully planing
• Step 9 – Use the formula to calculate resistance:

W is displacement. Here, C_FO is calculated from ITTC Line, using the following formula

C_FO = 0.075/(log₁₀R_n -2)²

Do check our our product Planing Vessel Resistance Calculator

References

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planing_(boat)
2. Principles of Naval Architecture Second Revision, Volume II Resistance, Propulsion and Vibration

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