Optimal design and installation of appendages for improving stability performance of a trimaran.

To improve the stability performance of the trimaran, appendages were usually installed. Installing a larger-area appendage will increase the ship's resistance, and a smaller-area appendage has a limited stabilizing effect. Therefore, the design of appendages was a problem to be solved. Meanwhile, the installation position of the designed appendages was also worth studying. This study designed the appendages and investigated the installation position of stability appendages for a trimaran using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. The results of model tests and CFD simulations were compared, which verify the accuracy and feasibility of CFD simulation. T-foil and flap were selected as the trimaran vertical stability appendages. According to the appendage design basis and constraints, the shape and dimension are given through the design process. The flap was installed on the stern of the trimaran. Six longitudinal and four vertical installation positions were selected while the best installation position for the T-foil was obtained. Finally, simulation and experimental results verify that the installation position of appendages is reasonable and effective for improving the trimaran stability performance. • Appendages include T-foil and flap were designed for improving the stability performance of a trimaran. • The installation position of the flap has matched the streamline of the trimaran stern. • Six longitudinal positions and four vertical positions were selected for T-foil installation. • The optimal process of appendages was conducted through CFD simulations and model tests. • CFD simulations and model tests were conducted for verifying the designed and installed appendages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]