Yuan, H.; Li, F.; Yan, Q.; Zhang, W., and Hu, J., 2023. Investigating pressure fluctuations on marine vessel rudders: Numerical results from propeller–rudder–hull interactions. Journal of Coastal Research, 39(2), 284–295. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208.

Severe pressure fluctuations induced by propeller wake enhance rudder vibrations. In the present study, the pressure fluctuations on the rudder are numerically investigated by using k-ω Menter's shear stress transport turbulence model. The pressure fluctuations on the port and starboard sides of the rudder are compared in time and frequency domains. Furthermore, the impact of the advance coefficient on the displacement of propeller wake and pressure fluctuations is also discussed. The numerical results indicate that the propeller wake displacement is oriented upward and downward at the port and starboard sides, respectively. The most intense pressure fluctuation occurs at the propeller blade passage frequency. As a result of vortex displacement, the suction-side fluctuations are weaker than those on the pressure side at frequencies of 100–300 Hz over an advance coefficient range of J = 0.75–0.925. The displacement of the propeller wake weakens when the advance coefficient decreases.