Developments in modelling ship rudder-propeller interaction

A review is made of the physics of the flow between a rudder and propeller and the parameters governing their interaction. Recent developments in predicting rudder forces and rudder-propeller interaction are described. These entail treating the rudder-propeller combination as the overall manoeuvring and propulsion device. Reference is made to on-going research at the University of Southampton which has included wind tunnel experimental investigations of the basic rudder-propeller interaction characteristics, oblique flow and the influence of the hull, together with theoretical modelling of a number of these aspects. Proposals are made as to how the rudder-propeller interaction data may be used both as a rudder design tool and in ship manoeuvring simulation