LAUSR

Abstract In this study, the evolution of the propeller tip vortex and its effect on the rudder surface pressure fluctuation was investigated using large eddy simulation. In this simulation, the flow domain was discretized using a trimmed mesher. An E779A propeller and a rudder with the NACA0020 profile were used in the simulation. The Q-criterion method was used to evaluate the wake of the propeller. The numerical simulation results were verified via extensive convergence studies and using experimental data. The relationship between the vortex flow field and advance ratio was studied. The pressure fluctuation over the rudder surface was analyzed in the frequency domain. Simulation results showed that the propeller tip vortex became dislocated and shrank owing to its interactions with the propeller. The effect of the blade tip vortex leads to a strong periodicity of the rudder surface pressure, while that within the hub vortex is relatively random.