Maneuvering modeling of a twin-propeller twin-rudder inland container vessel based on integrated CFD and empirical methods

The mathematical maneuvering model of a ship permits access to evaluate ship maneuverability performance and constitutes the core in the digital twin of a real ship, and it is playing an increasingly essential role in the contemporary era of developing intelligent ships. This paper proposed an integrated CFD and empirical maneuvering model for twin-propeller twin-rudder (TPTR) inland vessels, and the validity of the model is confirmed by comparing it with free-running model test data of a 64TEU TPTR inland container. The propeller–rudder system of the model ship is investigated under different advance coefficients and rudder angles by CFD methods, and obtained results are regressed to a polynomial-based rudder force model. The applicability of numerical methods in CFD simulations and the pattern for the rudder force model are proved first. After that, combining the rudder force model with empirical formulas, the maneuvering modeling of the TPTR inland vessel is implemented and validated.