Hull Form Optimization and Resistance Reduction MTA
Hydrodynamic design methods to lower resistance and improve fuel efficiency

About this book:

*Hull Form Optimization and Resistance Reduction* is a comprehensive technical guide dedicated to improving ship efficiency through advanced hydrodynamic design. The book provides a detailed end-to-end workflow for naval architects, marine engineers, and fleet managers, balancing fundamental physics with modern computational power. It covers the core components of ship resistance—frictional, wave-making, and aerodynamic—while offering deep dives into state-of-the-art tools such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), RANS/LES turbulence modeling, and adjoint-based shape optimization. By integrating theoretical governing equations with practical model testing and ITTC procedures, the text provides a robust framework for reducing fuel consumption and operational costs in both new builds and existing vessel refits.

Beyond the bare hull, the book explores the granular details that unlock significant energy savings, including the tuning of bulbous bows across variable drafts, the optimization of appendages like skegs and struts, and the strategic implementation of energy-saving devices such as pre-swirl stators and wake-equalizing ducts. Special attention is given to real-world operational challenges, including trim and draft optimization, seakeeping in rough seas, and the critical impact of hull fouling and coatings. Each chapter bridges the gap between technical deltas and business outcomes, situating hydrodynamic improvements within the modern regulatory landscape of EEDI, EEXI, and CII compliance.

Structured to support data-driven decision-making, the book features rigorous sections on uncertainty quantification, economic analysis (ROI and payback periods), and fleet assessment. It concludes with a series of real-world case studies that demonstrate the journey from unoptimized baselines to high-performance, resilient designs. Whether addressing the complexities of propeller-hull interaction or the economics of a bulbous bow refit, this book serves as an essential resource for those seeking to translate sophisticated hydrodynamic insights into measurable fuel savings and lower lifecycle emissions.

What You'll Find Inside:

• Learn the foundational principles of ship resistance, including frictional, wave-making, and aerodynamic components, and how they impact propulsive balance and overall fuel efficiency.
• Master advanced hull-form parameterization techniques, including NURBS and Free-Form Deformation (FFD), for systematic and flexible geometric modification essential for optimization.
• Understand the complete Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) workflow, from meshing and boundary conditions to rigorous verification and validation, ensuring accurate and reliable performance predictions.
• Explore sophisticated optimization strategies, including adjoint and gradient-based methods for local refinement, and global, surrogate-based techniques like Design of Experiments (DOE) and Machine Learning for discovering novel, highly efficient hull forms.
• Discover practical methods for optimizing specific hull features and energy-saving devices, such as bulbous bows, appendages (skegs, struts, rudders), and pre/post-swirl stators, and analyze their economic viability through CAPEX/OPEX, ROI, and payback period assessments.

Who's It For:

This book is for naval architects, hydrodynamicists, CFD engineers, classification society specialists, and fleet managers. It targets professionals seeking repeatable methods to convert design insight into measurable operational savings, focusing on practical, end-to-end approaches to hull form optimization and resistance reduction. Anyone involved in the design, operation, or regulation of ships who needs to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions will benefit from its comprehensive coverage.