Improving the hull form design for minimum ship resistance in the different ship operational conditions, from trawlers to large container vessels. We have a multi-objective optimization methodology which together with the skills of our experienced naval architects guarantee the performance of your hull for every sea state. The optimization covers not only the bow, but also the ship aft body ensuring a good wake field.

For existing vessels we can provide new and optimized designs for bulbous bow or complete fore body, based on the real performance obtained from our monitoring or ship owner records, the design is tailor-made for the ship’s real operational profile, ensuring the best return of investment.

The numerical self-propulsion simulation recreates the ship sailing with its designed propeller in such a way that the performance expected on its real life can be predicted with very high accuracy. The assessment of the thrust deduction factor is important for a redesign of the hull and modifications in the propulsion arrangement in such a way that the hull-propeller interaction is improved.

When it comes to bollard pull prediction, we have also validated our simulations with real tests performed on pusher boats, tugs and AHT. Do not play with the bollard pull performance of your ship, count on us during the project stage and avoid costly problems discovered during sea trials, when the solution will be much more complicated.

CFD optimization has also reached the nozzles, do not settle for traditional profiles. Depending on the type of vessel, power, towpull and speed requirements, we optimize the geometry of the nozzle for maximum performance of the propulsion system assembly and reducing the thrust deduction interaction with the hull.

Calculation of the tactical diameter, advance and transfer in different propulsive regimes. The CFD simulation of maneuvers at low speed and with shallow and confined waters is very useful in the optimization of inland navigation vessels .

The CFD allows to easily perform different types of maneuvers following the ITTC recommendations for determining course stability. It is essential to detect poor course stability as it is a characteristic of the hull that cannot be easily solved once the ship is built.

The choice of the appropriate rudder design must be a compromise between adequate maneuverability and good propulsive performance since the rudder  is a fundamental element in its interaction with the propeller flow. Small differences in blade profiles and designs can result in large improvements in maneuverability, reducing the tactical diameter without affecting power consumption in free running. We have experience on the design of special rudders like flap rudders and twisted rudder with bulb.

VICUSdt has a significant experience carrying out all the necessary shafting calculations for every type of propulsion shafting system for the most important Classification Societies and shipyards all over the world. Our reference list include every type of ship and propulsion configuration. It doesn’t matter if your project is retrofitting or newbuild, or if it is fitted with a direct drive or reduction gear, diesel or electric motor, thrust bearing, shaft brackets, oil or water stern tube, or any other feature. We definitely can help you with all the required shafting calculation and sea  trial measurements for a detail evaluation.

Shaftline alignment and vibration problems can result in very serious damages in your propulsion system, forcing long downtime to carry out costly repairs.

Shaft rational alignment, whirling, axial and torsional vibrations.

Vibration and noise measurements coupled with our knowledge of powertrains and hydrodynamics allow us to tackle these problems with a global approach, where a single supplier can help you solve these problems once and for all.

We help you solve the problems of noise and vibrations of the propulsion system.

our four approaches to study the project and providing the best options always looking for the improvement of the vessel:

1. BASIC EEXI CALCULATION
2. EEXI ANALYSIS BY CFD
3. EXPRESS ANALYSIS FOR EEXI IMPROVEMENT
4. DEVELOPMENT OF SOLUTIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION

Some typical CFD seakeeping calculations are:

-              RAO’s: response amplitude operators

-              Angular and linear accelerations for six degrees of freedom calculated in any point of the vessel

-              Ship behavior in the vicinity of an offshore structure (windmill, platform…)

-              Bilge keel design and roll damping analysis

-              Parametric Rolling

Furthermore, the calculated forces and moments are typically used on offshore vessels to feed the Dynamic Positioning  simulator for more accurate results. 

The motion of a fluid inside a tank of any size can be coupled with the own ship motion, in such a way that sloshing problems can be addressed, this is a typical problem on gas carriers. This approach is also used to analyse stabilizer tanks, sizing and location.

By means of CFD, water ingress on deck known as “Green water” can be evaluated as a function of time, knowing probabilities of green water on a certain speed, course and sea state combination.

Slamming impacts can be calculated by CFD and used for structural evaluation of the fore body or comfort assessment.

Power measurements on the shaft by torque meter

We have portable torque meters  to measure the real torque absorbed by the propeller, determining very precisely the engine power at different operating regimes.

Maneuverability

Recording the trajectories of the ship in the different types of maneuver by means of an inertial measurement unit IMU, which allows a very accurate recording of the movements of the ship in the six degrees of freedom. During this test it is usual to simultaneously record the rudder angles, validating the capacities prescribed by IMO such as tactical diameter, crash stop and Zig Zag.

Accelerations and movements of the ship in operation

The seakeeping  performance of the ship can be evaluated by recording the accelerations experienced by the ship in the six degrees of freedom. These tests allow determining the response of the vessel in terms of:

-              Pitch

-              Roll

-              Heave

-              Speed loss

-              Acceleration in the trawl blocks

-              Slamming

-              Etc.

The measured values are compared with comfort criteria such as Nordforsk.

Seakeeping behavior can be register measuring accelerations in six degrees of freedom

And we are not only experts on ship propulsion systems, we also can help you with other type of fluid dynamics problems on ships and offshore artifacts like:

• Sea chests
• Box coolers
• Scrubber water cleaning
• Side discharges
• Oil recovery
• RSW tank flow
• Vortex induced vibration
• Added mass

VICUSdt PROPELLERS are suitable for any kind of vessel, including yachts, ferries, fishing vessel, oceanographic and navy vessels. VICUSdt designs propellers that guarantee compliance with the customer requirements in terms of speed, tow pull, low noise or vibration, as well as geometric and hydrodynamic limitations. Small improvements in the propeller efficiency can provide important fuel savings in the ship operation.

Apart from hydrodynamics, we also take care of the FEM (finite element) calculations  required for compliance with ICE Class notations for propellers as well as all the shafting calculations .

In our foundry, we have all the necessary equipment to manufacture FP propellers up to a maximum of 12 tons in weight and certified by the main IACS Classification societies. Our experience covers from strong inland navigation ducted propellers to the most silent Class S high skew propellers for Navy  and Yacht  applications.

VICUSdt uses HydroComp software in propellers’ design, NavCad , PropElements  and PropCad.