{"id":3258,"date":"2026-04-05T22:06:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T20:06:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silentdynamics.de\/?p=3258"},"modified":"2026-05-13T10:20:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T08:20:27","slug":"turbomachinery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silentdynamics.de\/en\/2026\/04\/05\/turbomachinery\/","title":{"rendered":"Propulsion Analysis and Thrust Performance Prediction with Open-Source Software"},"content":{"rendered":"

After determining a propeller open-water curve with CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) or another calculation method, a further analysis \u2013 especially a Propulsion Analysis<\/strong> \u2013 required to reliably predict the propulsion performance for a specific ship. We have developed specialized analysis software solutions that enable seamless integration into the ship design process, relying exclusively on open-source software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the Drift Curve to the Propulsion Analysis<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Propeller free-running curve<\/strong> (also called the open-water curve) describes the hydrodynamic behavior of a propeller under defined conditions\u2014without the influence of the ship's hull. It provides fundamental performance metrics such as the thrust coefficient (KT<\/sub>), torque coefficient (KQ<\/sub>) and propeller efficiency $(\\eta)$ as a function of the advance coefficient $(J)$.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This curve forms the basis for all further analyses, but by itself is not sufficient to represent the actual Propulsion power in real ship operation<\/strong> to be determined. Only a complete propulsion analysis \u2013 taking into account hull resistance, wake, suction, and mechanical losses \u2013 can provide a reliable performance prediction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drive analysis: Methodology and calculation steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A complete Ship propulsion analysis<\/strong> typically includes the following steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Resistance prediction:<\/strong> Determination of the total resistance of the ship at a given speed, e.g., by CFD simulation or based on recognized approximation methods (ITTC methods, Holtrop-Mennen).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Propeller-Hull Interaction<\/strong> Consideration of discharge coefficient (w), suction coefficient (t), and relative rotational efficiency (\u03b7)R<\/sub>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Operating point determination<\/strong> Determination of the operating point of the propeller and engine in interaction (Self-Propulsion Point).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Performance Forecast<\/strong> Calculation of required shaft power, including gearbox and bearing losses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Sea-going and fouling surcharges:<\/strong> Addition of practice-relevant surcharges for operation under real conditions (Sea Margin, Fouling Allowance).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Our open-source-based software solutions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    We have customized Analysis software solutions<\/strong> developed, based exclusively on open-source technologies \u2013 transparent, flexible, and cost-efficient. Our tools are designed to integrate seamlessly into existing design processes, whether in the early conceptual stage or during the detailed design phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The advantages of our open-source approach:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Transparency and traceability:<\/strong> All calculation steps are openly viewable and scientifically verifiable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Independence from commercial licensing models:<\/strong> No hidden costs, no vendor lock-in.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Interoperability<\/strong> Easy integration with common CFD packages (e.g., OpenFOAM) and other design tools.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Customizability<\/strong> Full customization to project-specific requirements and ship types.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Community and Further Development:<\/strong> Benefit from an active open-source community and continuous improvements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Areas of application and ship types<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Our analysis methods are suitable for a wide range of vessel types and application areas, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      • Merchant ships (container ships, tankers, bulk carriers)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Workboats and offshore supply vessels<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Ferries and passenger ships<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Research and Special Vehicles<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Sports boats and yachts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Conclusion: Efficient performance prediction in modern ship design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        The combination of precise CFD-based propeller analysis and a structured drive analysis forms today's State of the art in hydrodynamic ship design<\/strong>. With our open-source software solutions, we offer naval architects and design offices a powerful, transparent, and cost-effective tool \u2013 from the free-running curve to the final performance prediction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Contact us to learn more about our analysis methods and software solutions, or view our case studies and reference projects.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Nach der Bestimmung einer Propeller-Freifahrtkurve mit CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) oder einem anderen Berechnungsverfahren ist eine weitere Analyse \u2013 insbesondere eine Propulsionsanalyse \u2013 erforderlich, um die Antriebsleistung f\u00fcr ein bestimmtes Schiff zuverl\u00e4ssig vorherzusagen. Wir haben spezialisierte Analysesoftwarel\u00f6sungen entwickelt, die eine nahtlose Integration in den Schiffsdesignprozess erm\u00f6glichen und sich dabei ausschlie\u00dflich auf Open-Source-Software st\u00fctzen. Von der […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":233,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[964],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3258","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-turbomaschinen"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/silentdynamics.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3258","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/silentdynamics.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/silentdynamics.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silentdynamics.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silentdynamics.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3258"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/silentdynamics.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3258\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3404,"href":"https:\/\/silentdynamics.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3258\/revisions\/3404"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silentdynamics.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/silentdynamics.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3258"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silentdynamics.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3258"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/silentdynamics.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3258"}],"curies":[{"name":"WordPress","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}