Shallowflow: A program to model ship hydrodynamics in shallow water

Abstract

In this article we present details of “ShallowFlow”, a computer program to model the hydrodynamic flow around ships in calm shallow water. The program is based on slender-body shallow-water theory. Outputs from the program include far-field hydrodynamic pressure and flow velocities; free surface drawdown; sinkage and trim. Varying transverse bathymetry including open water, dredged channels, and canals of arbitrary cross-section may be modelled. The method is best suited to displacement ships, including cargo ships, ferries, cruise ships, warships and superyachts.