The use of modern CFD-tools enables the SVA Potsdam to calculate the nominal and effective wake field in model and full-scale, giving vital information to the propeller designer in the hydrodynamic design process. The viscous flow calculation of the nominal wake field is a routine application at SVA.
     

The boundary layer in model scale (left) is relatively thicker compared to full-scale (right), leading to relatively less viscous losses in full-scale.


 
Looking at the wake field in the propeller plane of the model (left) and full-scale (right) ship, it can be seen that the isolines of equal wake fraction are moved roughly concentrically inward in the full-scale case. This circumstance results in higher wake gradients in full-scale. Thorough knowledge of the full-scale wake characteristics is therefore a necessary prerequisite for a successful propeller design. Nowadays, numerical calculations of full-scale wake fields can be considered more accurate than the extrapolation from experimental data, which is often based on slightly outdated empirical formulas.The wake calculations were validated among others with KCS test case data.
    

Potsdam Model Basin (SVA)  offer its clients a profound and high quality analysis of the wake field in model and full-scale, in order to evaluate the scale effects even for twin and triple-screw ships or special appendages. This enables the customer to retrieve an optimum solution forthe problem at hand, e. g. propeller design or hull modifications for special purposes.