• Journal of computational fluids engineering
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.14-20
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• 2008

The flow characteristics around a rudder in open water condition is analyzed by the computational method. Reynolds averaged Navier-Stoke's equation is utilized for the computation. The computational hydrodynamic force coefficients are verified through comparing with the experimental results. The information of these flow characteristics is necessary to predict cavitation and maneuvering performances, to estimate steering gear capacitance, and to get the bending moment which is useful for the structural analysis. The pressure distribution, the three-dimensional flow separation, and the tip vortices are investigated. The pattern of the three-dimensional flow separation is analyzed utilizing a topological rule. The tip vortices are also investigated through a visualization technique.