Viscosity in Seakeeping

Application of strip theory for the prediction of ship motions in waves relies on sectional hydrodynamic coefficients; i.e. the added mass and damping coefficients. These coefficients apply to linearised problems and are normally computed for inviscid fluids. It is possible to account for viscosity but this cannot be done by the RANS equations, as in linear problems there is no room for turbulence. The hydrodynamic coefficients can include the effect of viscosity but this can be done rightly through the classic Navier–Stokes equations for laminar (non-turbulent) flows. For solving these equations commercial RANS software can be used, assuming no Reynolds stresses.