Simulation workflow for flexible marine propellers

This study demonstrates the use of a simulation workflow to perform FSI simulations for a flexible C4-40 propeller of various material stiffnesses and operating conditions. Grid convergence studies for both the fluid and the structure grid have been performed. The loading is found to be non-monotonic with the change in stiffness: The stiffer deformable propellers can result in increased thrust, whereas more flexible propellers result in a thrust reduction. The increased thrust is attributed to the camber deformation within the blade sections, whereas the reduction in thrust is due to a reduction of pitch, mainly near the tip region, due to the twisting of the blades.