Finite element analysis of high-speed catamaran structure in beam waves

Abstract

In this work, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA) method was used to study the structural stresses of an aluminum alloy catamaran sailing at the speed of 10.5m/s in beam waves, to investigate the characteristics of stresses and deformations by one-way fluid-structure coupling method, and to perform the optimization of the hull structure by structural adjustments to the bow and stern. The results were as follows: The numerical method proposed in this paper was able to create an effective environment in beam wave and calculate the wave load. The wave load on the side facing the wave is much larger than that on the other side, and the deformation of the bow is larger than that of the stern. The maximum deformation at high speed is reduced by 46.45% by strengthening the transverse structure and lengthening the stiffener.