ACMA Expands Analysis Capabilities

Alan C. McClure Associates (ACMA), a naval architecture and engineering firm, announced that the company has recently expanded its analysis capabilities by acquiring a license for STAR CCM+, the flagship CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) package from CD Adapco. This new analysis capability will enable ACMA to determine the effect of viscous flows and non-linear waves on vessel hulls and in internal tanks. ACMA has also purchased a high-performance computing cluster, equivalent to 16 standard desktops to run the new program and accelerated its learning curve by investing heavily in training and running test simulations of past projects.

Many of the analyses that ACMA can now perform with CFD were previously analyzed using models tested in a Tow Tank. Adding CFD capability enables ACMA to have its own “Virtual Tow Tank”. This allows these analyses to be done faster, at less cost and earlier in the design cycle for maximum benefit to the client. And, in many cases, CFD actually does a better job of predicting the loading due to the incumbent limitations in model testing.

CFD analyses are particularly useful in the following types of projects:
•    Vessel Resistance prediction
•    Vessel Motions prediction in regular and random seas, both stationary and underway
•    Dynamic Hydrostatic / Hydrodynamic Loading on vessel structures
•    Accurate prediction of the viscous effects on moored vessels
•    Analysis of sloshing loads inside partially-filled cargo or ballast tanks
•    Hull design optimization through flow visualization
•    Conjugate Heat Transfer analyses for structures on vessels carrying refrigerated cargo (CNG, LNG or similar)

A design process will still include Tank Testing as part of the program, but the inclusion of a detailed CFD analysis ahead of Tank Testing will allow testing to focus on confirmation of the analyses and will also provide the engineering team with a clearer picture of what they can expect to see in the model basin.

ACMA has integrated the CFD analysis into its toolbox of analysis tools which includes Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and 3D Diffraction mooring analysis (fully coupled). And, with the addition of the new computing cluster, run times on the full range of ACMA’s advanced analysis and design software has been minimized.

(www.acma-inc.com)