The paper focuses on the numerical analysis of free running maneuvers of an underwater vehicle. The maneuver behavior is analyzed via maneuvering coefficients, which are gained by free running maneuvers based on CFD simulations. The numerical study is conducted on the generic submarine model BB2 in model scale with STAR-CCM+. Overset mesh technology is used to simulate the body in six degrees of freedom. The simulation is controlled via a JAVA program. Appropriate PID gains are used to set and control the maneuvers. Within this study the obtainment of certain coefficients through maneuvers in one plane is investigated.
Unmanned systems are increasingly used in all aspects of life; one just has to think of the broad distribution of small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) in the consumer sector. In the underwater domain the unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) are still mostly used in the field of research, military and a slowly growing industrial field. One reason might be the harsh environment, limiting the connectivity between the vehicle and the operator. Certain maneuvers even make it difficult - if not impossible - to interact with the UUV during a mission.
Hence, understanding and predicting the maneuvering behavior of an unmanned underwater vehicle is crucial, especially for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) running their predefined missions without any remote control. For those vehicles it is important to know their maneuvering capabilities, not only for reasons of navigation. Further reasons being the vehicle guidance control, contract requirements or the vehicle stability. Sensors for instance have higher demands upon the vehicle stability than it would be necessary for a reliable maneuver alone.
The maneuvering capabilities need to be considered in an early stage during the UUV design process, where changes are still cost-effectively possible. During this stage, experimental studies are not feasible as geometry may change rapidly.
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) alternatively raised as robust and accurate methodology (Ferziger, 2002). In the marine application field several studies have shown a good correlation with experimental data, for example (Özden, Özden, Demir and Kurdoǧlu., 2018).
