Numerical Analysis by CFD of the Movement of the Ship, its Propulsion and the Effect on Sediment Resuspension

Abstract

Bulk vessels transit the waterway generating hydrodynamic effects in their environment, which, added to the turbulent effects caused by their propulsion systems, can influence the river bed and modify it, especially in shallow water channels. Among these effects are: redistribution and acceleration of the flow under the keel, with the consequent increase in the shear stresses exerted on the bed particles, which may cause erosion, if they exceed the critical tension of the sediment. This research group aims to evaluate the impact of the effects caused by the propellers on the resuspension of sediments, which will be studied from laboratory Physical Simulations and Numerical Simulations (CFD). This work shows the first results obtained in pursuit of the aforementioned objective, from a CFD simulation, which contemplates the movements of the vessel (pitch, roll, etc.) and propulsion system.