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.

Published validation articles

Container ship dynamic sinkage prediction, using the nonlinear Rankine-source panel code, phFlow.

Comparison of Michlet, phFlow and Rapid with model tests for DTMB 5415 ship wake.

phFlow wavemaking calculations for the KRISO container ship.

phFlow wavemaking calculations for the DTMB 5415 hull.

Image credits

Top: Lyse Fjord, Norway, by CC Edmont

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