Hydrodynamic Analysis and Environmental Adaptation of a Trimaran Model for Nigerian Coastal and Inland Waters

This study conducted a comprehensive hydrodynamic analysis and environmental adaptation of a trimaran model specifically designed for Nigerian coastal and inland waters. Employing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations, this research analyzed resistance, stability, maneuvering, and wave-making resistance. The CFD simulations, performed using the k-ω Shear Stress Transport (SST) turbulence model, captured critical hydrodynamic behaviour, including flow separation and wake interactions, with grid resolutions optimized through a grid independence study. Results showed that the refined grid achieved a stable resistance prediction at 125.4N, maintaining a y-plus range of 20 to 90 for accurate boundary layer modelling. There was a non-linear increase in resistance, reaching 450kN at 25 knots, and a metacentric height of 2.8m at a 10-degree heel angle, ensuring stability. Maneuvering analyses indicate a turning radius of 350m at a 25-degree rudder angle, demonstrating the trimaran’s agility in confined waterways. Environmental adaptation showed a 20% increase in resistance under rough sea conditions, emphasizing the need for design optimizations. These findings highlight the trimaran’s suitability for the challenging maritime conditions of Nigeria, balancing efficiency, stability, maneuverability, performance, safety, and adaptability while offering insights to optimizing future trimaran designs under similar environmental constraints. These findings also provide a framework for future designs that address local environmental challenges while maximizing operational efficiency. Nonetheless, optimizing side hull configurations to enhance wave cancellation effects and reducing wetted surface area to improve drag performance is recommended