Validation of co-simulation strategies for naval applications of fluid-structure interaction

Taking into account the mechanical interactions between a fluid flow and the deformations of a structure for coupled systems is crucial to better design certain parts or components (as in the renewable energy or naval sectors). “Co-simulation” techniques, aiming to take advantage of the functionalities offered by numerical tools dedicated to fluid and structural dynamics, and to couple these tools, are one of the innovations proposed by the editors of calculation codes to allow engineers to simulate various fluid-structure interaction problems.

The result of academic research, which has proposed efficient coupling algorithms with proven numerical properties (accuracy, stability, etc.), and of industrial developments, which have accompanied the implementation of these algorithms in engineering tools, these “co-simulation” techniques, which are complex to use, are still little employed by engineers.

We propose a feedback on an R&D project aiming at evaluating, validating and disseminating these techniques in the naval industry. Conducted in the framework of a collaboration with academic partners, based on test results and supported by numerical solution editors, the project has highlighted the opportunities offered by these computational techniques and identified the limits of use for applications to the hydrodynamics of deformable lifting profiles.