Numerical investigation on the turning motion of a near-surface self-propelled submarine

The present work performs a numerical study on the turning motion of a near surface self-propelled submarine. The turbulent flow around the submarine is solved by using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) method. The interaction between the submarine and the free surface is captured by using the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method. The motion of submarine and rudder is achieved through overset grid technology, while the rotating propeller is modeled by using the body force model. Numerical simulations of the turning circle test are performed for those conditions, and the variation law of the turning motion parameters at different immersion depths is revealed. Based on the obtained flow field details, including free surface waveform, shedding vortices, and velocity distribution, the interaction between the self-propelled submarine and the free surface and its relationship with the submarine turning characteristics are explored.