General information

phFlow is a Rankine-source panel code that calculates nonlinear wave patterns and wave resistance for ships. It is developed by Dr Tim Gourlay at Perth Hydro and used for our ship hydrodynamics consulting.

Applications

• Calculation of ship wakes in near-field and far-field
• Effect of ship wakes on moored vessels and shoreline erosion
• Wave resistance calculation for ships at design stage
• Development of low-wash vessels

Inputs

• Ship lines plan or table of offsets
• Ship speed and water depth

Outputs

• Nonlinear 3D wave pattern around ship
• Longitudinal and transverse wave cuts
• Flow velocities around the hull
• Wave resistance

History

Perth Hydro's panel code SubmarineFlow uses a Hess and Smith panel method, with panels on the hull only. phFlow is a natural extension of this code, which uses additional panels above the free surface to allow a fully-nonlinear wavemaking solution for ships.

Validation

KRISO container ship in deep water

DTMB 5415 hull in deep water

KRISO container ship in shallow water

Image credits

Top: Lyse Fjord, Norway, by CC Edmont

Bottom: Lake Burley Griffin, Australia, courtesy of Martin Grimm