Inviscid calculations of ship wave making - capabilities, limitations and prospects

This paper surveys the state of the art in ship wave pattern prediction by nonlinear potential flow methods. Almost all main codes now use a raised singularity method. A theoretical analysis explains some of the properties of this approach. A novel difference scheme is derived that eliminates most of the numerical damping. Two critical issues, resistance prediction and stern flow calculation, are considered. Validations illustrate the capabilities of methods in this class. Restrictions, mainly connected with the neglect of viscous effects, are discussed.