CFD simulations for the shipping sector

CFD is a computational technology that enables you to study the dynamics of things that flow. Using CFD, you build a computational model that represents a system or device that you want to study. Then you apply the fluid flow physics to this virtual prototype, and the software outputs a prediction of the fluid dynamics.

CFD is a sophisticated analysis technique. It can predict fluid flow behavior, but can also calculate the transfer of heat, mass (such as in perspiration or dissolution), phase change (such as in freezing or boiling), chemical reaction (such as combustion), mechanical movement (such as a propeller turning), and stress or deformation of related solid structures (such as a mast bending in the wind).

The fundamental basis of CFD (Computational Fluid dynamic analysis) problems are the Navier–Stokes equations, which define any single-phase - gas or liquid, but not both - fluid flow. These are discretized in order to be solved by means of powerful computers.

As the physics of these simulations can be quite complex, the results that may be obtained are really subject to the degree of technical expertise of the technicians performing the analysis.

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The reasons to use CFD are these three:

• Insight: there are many devices and systems that are very difficult to prototype. Often, CFD analysis shows you parts of the system or phenomena happening within the system that would not otherwise be visible through any other means. CFD gives you a means of visualizing and enhanced understanding of your designs.
• Foresight: since CFD is a tool for predicting what will happen under a given set of circumstances, it can answer many "what if" questions very quickly. You give it variables. It gives you outcomes.

In a short time, you can predict how your design will perform, and test many variations until you arrive at an optimal result. All of this is done before physical prototyping and testing. The foresight you gain from CFD helps you to design better and faster.

Efficiency: better and faster design or analysis leads to shorter design cycles. Time and money are saved. Products get to market faster.
CFD is a tool for compressing the design and development cycle.

Why RINA?

RINA has a wide experience with such kind of problems and a long track of success stories in setting up the CFD simulations and providing our clients with reliable and usable results.

We apply ITTC 7.5-03-01-02 quality standard and use worldwide recognized software for calculations (Star-CCM+, Ansys AQWA), adopting the most strict RINA confidentiality standards to protect confidential data and patents of our clients.

Due to our traditional focus to fluid-flow related marine and offshore domains, CFD simulations have always been closely followed and studied, in order to always be at the cutting edge of technology.

This vision nowadays allows us to hold a significant and solid technical expertise that we can effectively use to help our clients.