A twist in the tail: DNV GL adds asymmetric stern to ECO Lines hull optimization service

A vessel with an asymmetric stern has a twisted aft shape that is designed to account for the differing flow conditions on each side of the propeller. The idea emerged in the 1960s, but due to the difficulty of manually developing the optimal shape, this design failed to make a large impact at the time. DNV GL has revisited the idea and, using high-fidelity computer fluid dynamics (CFD) in combination with parametric formal optimization, the classification society can now offer ship owners the option of incorporating an asymmetric stern into their new vessels.

“Basically, what we are now able to do is model an aft shape that acts as a propulsion improving device, without the vibration and fatigue strength concerns that come with fins and nozzles,” says Karsten Hochkirch, Head of Department, Fluid Engineering at DNV GL – Maritime. “Using our in-house formal parametric optimization procedure, we can assess hundreds of options until we find a design that strikes an optimal balance between pre-swirl and resistance, while meeting the design requirements of the customer.

In a recent project, a 3,000 TEU container ship was tuned to achieve minimum power consumption. Starting from a well-optimized symmetric baseline design, the asymmetric design achieved a propulsion power reduction of more than 3%, a result that was confirmed in tank testing. In another project, the ECO Lines team was asked to find propulsion efficiencies in a 38,000 DWT tanker. The CFD optimization generated a design promising a 3.5% percent decrease in propulsion power compared to the symmetrical design."

“This is another instance where advances in computing power and software sophistication are enabling us to unlock efficiencies in ship design. By accurately simulating the performance of these complex hull forms, we are achieving propulsion power improvements of up to 5%, with greater structural robustness,” says Karsten Hochkirch. “And because yards are now able to utilise advanced CAD/CAM techniques and modern, CNC-controlled fabrication methods, they can bring these designs into production much more easily and economically.”

Captions for the high-resolution images available below:

• A bulker / tanker hull with asymmetric aftbody is tested in HSVA’s towing tank to confirm the result of the optimization.
• A twisted stern shape on the model of a Handymax Bulker design.
• Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) allows to assess the details of the flow. The colors denote the pressure distribution on the hull.