Annual Technical Symposium (21st). The Engineering Challenge of a Growing Navy: Retrofitting of Bulbous Bows on U.S. Navy Auxiliary and Amphibious Warfare Ships for Fuel Savings

摘要

To meet energy conservation goals of the Navy, its attention has been focused on ways to reduce individual ship total resistance and powering requirements. One possible method of improving ship powering characteristics is by modifying existing individual ship hulls with the addition of bulbous bows. This paper will identify the merits of retrofitting bow bulbs on selected U.S. Navy auxiliary and amphibious warfare ships. A procedure for performing a cost/benefit analysis will be shown for candidate ship classes. An example of this technique for an amphibious warfare ship will also be provided. A brief discussion of future methods to be used for bulbous bow design such as application of systematic model test data and numerical hydrodynamic techniques will be given. (Author)