A parametric study on water-entry of a twin wedge by boundary element method
High speed catamarans are used for pleasure, racing as well as passenger transportations. Optimal design of these crafts requires knowledge of sea loads exerted on their structures. The total load may be estimated by integration of loads exerted on a series of two-dimensional sections along the hull. In order to access the cross-sectional loads, the problem may be simplified to solve the water-entry problem of a twin hull. In this paper, water-entry problem of a twin wedge at constant vertical water-entry speed is studied. The problem is solved in the framework of potential theory using boundary element method where gravity effect on the flow is neglected. A simplified model based on Wagner theory is employed. Free surface elevation and pressure distribution on the body in different deadrise angles have been evaluated. A parametric study has been done to investigate effects of deadrise angle, distance between demi-hulls and free surface elevation on maximum pressure coefficient. Finally, a regression formula for maximum pressure coefficient has been proposed. Results of parametric study reveal that as time advances the interaction between two demi-hull gets more severe, besides the interaction effect on pressure coefficient is nonlinear.