Applying Trip Wire Turbulence Research to Advanced CFD Engineering

At CFD Expert, we closely follow cutting-edge academic research to enhance the precision and efficiency of our computational fluid dynamics (CFD) services. A recent peer-reviewed paper published in Polish Maritime Research by Guozhi Bao, Bolong Liu, Ruitao Yang, and Xiaodong Si investigates the influence of trip wire placement on turbulence characteristics in underwater vehicle scale models. The full article is available here: http://www.bg.pg.gda.pl/pmr/pdf/PMRes_2025_2.pdf

The study uses the DARPA SUBOFF submarine model to explore how trip wires, small protrusions placed on the hull, can significantly affect boundary layer structure, turbulence intensity, and vortex formation. By applying Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations, the researchers compared scaled model results to full-scale behaviour while maintaining Froude number similarity.

Their findings show that optimal trip wire placement can greatly improve the similarity between scale model and full-scale flow characteristics. In particular, the configuration labelled as “Case 1” in the study produced velocity and pressure patterns most closely matching the full-scale reference. The research also demonstrates how variations in trip wire diameter can influence turbulence intensity and modify vortex structures, such as horseshoe vortices, around the hull.

At CFD Expert, we see this work as highly relevant to practical engineering applications. Insights from such studies can be applied directly in our CFD projects, from hull optimisation for marine and offshore vessels to performance prediction for prototype designs. By improving scale-to-full correlation in simulations, we can reduce the need for costly physical testing while maintaining high accuracy.

Integrating validated scientific research into our engineering workflow allows us to deliver CFD solutions that are not only precise but also ready for real-world application. This approach ensures our clients benefit from the latest developments in fluid dynamics, applied with expertise and technical rigour.

Reference: Bao, G., Liu, B., Yang, R., & Si, X. (2025). Similarity Study of the Turbulence Characteristics of Underwater Vehicle Models. Polish Maritime Research, 32(2), 4–16. Full text PDF: http://www.bg.pg.gda.pl/pmr/pdf/PMRes_2025_2.pdf

BalticWindSolutions specializes in marine engineering and computational fluid dynamics, offering precise flow analyses and innovative solutions to enhance project efficiency and reliability for clients in the marine sector.

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