NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF BOW WAVE BREAKING FOR KCS USING URANS METHOD

Abstract

This study examines the bow breaking-wave phenomenon of the KRISO Container Ship (KCS) using a RANS-based numerical method. The finite volume method was employed for spatial discretization, and the Volume of Fluid (VOF) approach was adopted to capture free-surface motions. The numerical results of force and moment were verified through a grid convergence study and validated against model test data, ensuring both reliability and accuracy. The simulations reproduced sequential plunging waves and three distinct breaking scars in the bow region, capturing the unsteady characteristics of free-surface collapse. Analysis of the flow field further revealed the formation of counter vortex pairs in the reconnection region, highlighting the role of wave breaking in generating turbulence and three-dimensional vortical structures. These findings clarify that bow breaking waves not only involve surface collapse but also act as a source of persistent flow disturbances propagating downstream. Overall, the study demonstrates that RANS-based CFD methods can accurately resolve highly nonlinear free-surface phenomena, including wave breaking, plunging motion, and vortex-pair generation.