Comparative analysis on residual resistance of trimaran with small waterplane area center hull and slender trimaran

[Objectives] To study the effect of side-hull layouts of Trimaran Small Waterplane Area Center Hull(TriSWACH) with circular transverse section on residual resistance and compare its residual resistance with that of slender trimaran.[Methods] The CFD numerical forecast of viscous flow field around TriSWACH has been verified to be reliable and viable, so we use the CFD method to numerically simulate the viscous flow field around TriSWACH with circular transverse section, calculate the residual resistance coefficient under different speeds and side-hull layouts, and then compare with the experimental values of residual resistance coefficient of slender trimaran with the same displacement and working conditions.[Results] The results show that the residual resistance coefficient of TriSWACH is generally smaller than that of slender trimaran at full speed; TriSWACH has the least resistance in the optimal speed range Fr=0.338-0.494, and the resistance is maximally reduced by 17.95% when side-hull are at the rear part of main hull.[Conclusions] This study can be used for reference in engineering