Propeller Load Variations for Maneuvering Ships in Waves

This paper presents a method that can predict the load variations on propellers of ships that are maneuvering in waves. A two time-scales approach is followed.
The method consist of a calm water maneuvering time simulation method and a frequency domain seakeeping method. The mean and low frequent wave drift forces are applied as an external force in the maneuvering simulations. The wave frequent motions and propeller inflow variations are superimposed on the simulation result. These inflow variations are used to predict the propeller thrust and torque variations.
The results are compared with model experiments for the DTMB 5415M combatant. The experiments and simulations are in reasonably good agreement. The simulation method can capture several relevant phenomena that are observed in the model experiments.