Hydrodynamics

CETENA's know how in this field has been developed through a number of research projects covering four topics:

• flow around ship hull
• seakeeping
• propeller behaviour
• ship maneouvrability

In house software programs WARP (potential flow code for wave resistance computation), PROPACE (potential flow code for propeller flow computations), SOAP (seakeeping software for the evaluation of ship operability and comfort on board) and SIMSUP (manoeuvrability code) have been developed and upgraded over the years thanks to a continous research effort.

Research activities are currently focused on:

• development of a numerical model and software code to compute unsteady potential flow around propeller and predict cavitation inception
• development of tools for accurate prediction of slamming loads and their effects on ship structures
• development of a time domain seakeeping code – in cooperation with other research institutes

The Hydrodynamics Department of CETENA is an active member of various CRS (Cooperative Research Ship) working groups, besides participating in various EU funded projects. Amongst these, it is worthwhile mentioning WERMED (see www.wermed.net) a project dedicated to the development of a weatherrouting system in the west Mediterranean.