Robert S.

Kaidy
Naval Architect & CEO
360 NW ALICE AVE., STUART, FL 34994
O: 772-692-8551 E: rkaidy@ocean5inc.com
www.ocean5inc.com

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 1

Presentation Goal:
Introduce design considerations for Stepped planing hull design
and optimization.
Review the use of the Wake Profile Method.
Identify strength, weaknesses, and limits of first order
approach for design and optimization.
Present examples using full size craft.
Discuss use of CFD for Design and Optimization.

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 2

Wake Profile Method

1.
2.
3.
4.

Introduction
Definitions
Goals of Stepped Hull Design
Wake Profile Method
4.1
4.2
4.3

Design Input & Output Parameters

Analysis Methodology
Equilibrium Solution

5. Strengths and Weaknesses of WPM

6. Example Craft
6.1
6.2

Savitsky/Morabito Validation
USNA Tow Tank Validation

7. CFD
8. Conclusions
9. References & Resources

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 3

Invented by Rev. Ramus of Sussex England in 1872.

William Henry Fauber obtained a US Patent for hulls with multiple steps in 1908.

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 4

Many craft were built to dominate the racing boat scene from the 1920s, including Gar Woods.

Many patents exist for stepped hull technology.

Widely used in racing, pleasure performance craft and offshore outboard powered fishboats.

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 5

Primary Advantages of Properly Designed

Stepped Planing Hull over non-stepped:

Reduced Resistance

Increased Speed

Improved Efficiency

Improved Seakeeping

Compelling Marketing / Hull Story

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 6

 Reduced Wetted Area

Reduced Viscous Resistance

Optimal Trim Angle

Planing Surfaces Operating at Best Lift/Drag Ratio

Higher Efficiency Planing Surfaces

Multiple high Aspect Ratio Lifting Surfaces versus One Very Low
Aspect Ratio Surface

Favorable Effects from Planing Speed to Max Speed

Trim Angle Remains Optimal at nearly all Speeds,
and constant at max velocity

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 7

 Air Lubricated

Air Bearings
Air pretty much anything
Ram Air Lift

Big Steps = Fast Boat

Little Steps = Fast Boat
More Steps = Fast Boat

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 8

Offsetting potential characteristics can

include:

Higher off plane trim angles and resistance

Dynamic instability / Porpoising
High Speed Maneuvering Instability
Potential for Hooking
Surge in Seaway
Structural Discontinuities
Potential for improper or incomplete ventilation
LCG Sensitivities
Off Design or poorly designed craft with higher Resistance than
Conv. Hull

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 9

Wake Profile Method Numerical

analysis method allows designer to:
Create New Designs without relying on anecdotal rules of thumb
Answer basic design questions:
How does the resistance or speed change if we.
Increase/decrease the step height
Change afterbody angle
Move step fore or aft

Optimize existing designs

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 10

Stepped planing hull design has classically involved the use of rough rules of thumb,
guess work and costly and some dangerous experimentation to answer the most
rudimentary design questions, including resistance, running trim angle, and effect of step
height and geometry.

Existing studies and data primarily associated with the design of seaplane floats, and
have been very limited utility as tools to develop new craft. (refer to reference list)

A new method was needed to allow small craft naval architects to directly calculate the
effects of various design parameters on the overall design performance characteristics of
the craft.

New Method for the 1st order computational analysis of stepped hulls created based on
work of Savitsky-Morabito and Hadler , Wake

Profile Method

Ocean5 has developed a new method based on the synthesis of existing data and
methods, to directly predict the performance of stepped hulls, and has incorporated this
method into new software for the naval architect, called Virtual Seatrial - VSt

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 11

Afterbod
y

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OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

Step

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 12

Lab= Length of afterbody

aab= Angle of Afterbody measured from baseline
to keel

ab defined as subscript for afterbody values,

fb Forebody
Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect
OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 13

Components to achieve reduced Resistance:

3.1

Optimal running trim

3.2

Reduced Wetted Area

3.3

Increased Aspect Ratio Lifting Area

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 14

3.1 Optimal Trim

Planing Hull resistance is a

function of trim angle

Resistance bucket exists for all

planing hulls at ~4.3 Degrees

Resistance increases rapidly at

lower trim angles

Resistance relatively constant

from 3.5 to 4.5 deg.

Conv. Planing hulls trim angle

decreases with speed, creating
higher wetted resistance
component at higher speeds

A craft with trim control at

optimum trim angles would have
lower resistance

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 15

3.2 Reduce Wetted Area

Result of trim control

Result of splitting planing area into two more highly loaded areas.

V=40 knots
Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect
OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

V=40 knots
IBEX 2013 SESSION 302
Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 16

4.1 Input & Output

Parameters
4.2 Analysis
Methodology Use of
Wake Profile Modeling
4.3 Equilibrium Solution

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 17

Other Inputs

Direct Design Input Variables

After Body Parameter
1.1

Variable

Chine Beam

Bab

1.2

Step Height

hS

1.3

Length

Lab

1.4

Deadrise

bab

Characteristic

Approach

2.1

Chine Flat Width

Change Effective
Deadrise

2.2

Chine Section
Shape / Angle

Change Effective
Deadrise

2.3

Keel Flats / Pads

Change Effective
Deadrise

Outputs at Equilibrium:

2.4

N/A

Total and Component

Resistance

Air Entrainment
Devices & Effects

2.5

Strakes

Savitsky /Hadler

2.6

Step Planform
Shape

N/A

1.5

Keel Angle

aab

Total and Component Lift

Craft Trim Angle

Wetted Lengths
Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect
OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 18

Other Inputs
Characteristic

2.1

Chine Flat Width

2.2

Chine Section Shape /

Angle

2.3

Keel Flats / Pads

2.4

Air Entrainment Devices &

Effects

2.5

Strakes

2.6

Step Planform Shape

Direct Design Input Variables

After Body Parameter

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

1.1

Chine Beam

1.2

Step Height

1.3

Length

1.4

Deadrise

1.5

Keel Angle

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 19

In general, solution incorporates:

Sum Lift, Resistance and pitching moemts

about LCG & Iterate on Trim to Find
Equlibrium

Soltn

Semi-Empirical Steady State Equilibrium Solution using Savitsky Hadler

Problem is broken into three parts, forebody, step, afterbody:
Area

Forebody

Step

Afterbody

Inputs

Outputs

Source

Displacement
Projected Chine Beam,
Deadrise
LCG, VCG
Speed

Resistance
Lift
Trim Angle
Wetted Keel Length
Wetted Chine Lengths

Savitsky /
Hadler

Step Height
Trim Angle
Speed
Deadrise

Height of Wake at any point along X

(Based on this data we can calculate
afterbody keel and wake intersection
point, and therefore calc. Afterbody
Wetted keel length and effective trim
angle based on wake slope)

SavitskyMorabito

Wetted Keel Length,

Trim,
Projected Chine Beam,
Deadrise,
Speed

Resistance, Lift

Savitsky /
Hadler

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 20

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 21

Wake Model Fundamentally Connects Forebody with Afterbody

Savitsky-Morabito work defined Wake Profile curve as a function which can be readily
calculated.
Wake Curve can be intercepted with afterbody to determine afterbody wetting, and
effective trim angle.
Wake Profile work based on Tow tank testing and direct measurement of the transom
wake profiles of various deadrise prismatic models.
Data reduced and correlated with important design parameters to allow direct
calculation of wake profile.
Data interpolated to different deadrise angles based on the presented formulas and
data from 10, 20 and 30 degree tow tank tests.

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 22

Savitsky Morabito provide a model for wake profile based on tank testing:

Note that K is coeff. for deadrise, interpolated from

Savitsky-Morabito wake Formulas, (for beta >=20, K=2.0)

, Wake Profile at Keel

We employ the keel solution to interface with

the Hadler solution to calculated the wetted
keel length and planing area on the afterbody.
It is possible to use the quarter chord solution
to solve for the effects of step planform shape
by using the resultant calculated change in
wetted area. This is an opportunity for future
work.
Further, according to Faltinsen and Doctors, the flow separates from the step at speeds where
Ds the draft at the step relative to the running waterline.

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

with

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 23

LIMITS OF WAKE PROFILE METHOD:

DEADRISE LIMITED WITHIN BOUNDS OF TYP CRAFT

TRIM ANGLES LIMITED WITHIN BOUNDS OF TYP CRAFT
ENSURES WETTED CHINE SOLUTION ONLY,
PREVENTS CASES WHERE SPRAY JETS WET
AFTERBODY (W AFTERBODY WETTING)

SETS LOWER BOUNDS TO PREVENT SPRAY JET WETTING OF

AFTERBODY (W AFTERBODY WETTING)
BE CAREFUL HERE, THIS IS BEAM SPEED COEFF., = V/(qB)^1/2, & DATA &
EXPERIENCE SHOWS FOR Cv BELOW 4.0 IS NOT ACCURATE.
THIS APPROACH MAY NOT WORK FOR VERY LONG, NARROW CRAFTSUCH AS
CATAMARANS, BUT WE HAVENT YET TRIED IT

Further, according to Faltinsen and Doctors, the flow separates from the step at speeds where
Ds the draft at the step relative to the running waterline.

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

with

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 24

LIMITS OF WAKE PROFILE METHOD:

1. Solution Highly Dependent on Trim Angle

2. High Trim Angles Produce Erroneous
Results
3. Deadrise highly dependent on appendages,
such as pads and lifting strakes
4. May need to create a pseudo deadrise if
appendages are significant
5. Method Cannot predict simple potential
problems Too Short Steps, Improper
Ventilation Paths

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 25

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 26

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 27

Strengths:

Predicts Resistance, trim and lift forces based on primary design parameters

Allows incorporation of conventional appendages, including strakes, trim tabs, etc.

Limits and Weaknesses:

Limited by Experimental Data Set

Many factors not considered in
solution:

Off-Design Low Speed Resistance and

trim
Maneuvering
Transverse Stability
Seakeeping

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

Other Aspects not Considered in

Solution:

Planform Shape of Step

Step Inlet geometry

Ventilation systems/methods

Edge Treatments

Step Outer Wetting (W Wetting)

Porpoising / Dynamics

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 28

Case

Description

Type

Savitsky /Morabito Validation

Wake Profile Validation

Garland Validation

Stepped Hull Tow Tank

Testing
Displacement

Semi-Planing

Model Trim vs. Velocity

Planing

Trim (degrees)

Savitsky Prediction

2
Unstepped Hull
Zero Step

Step Depth =6% Chine Beam

Step Depth = 4% Chine Beam
Step Depth = 2% Chine Beam

0
0

10

15

20

25

30

35

Velocity (ft/s)

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 29

6.1 Example Craft Savitsky/Morabito Validation

Design Particulars Savitsky/Morabito Validation Case
LOA
Bab
Bfb
bab
bfb

=
=
=
=
=

32
7.8
7.8
12.5 deg
12.5 deg

Displ.=
LCG =
Hs
=
Lab =
aab
=

10 KIP
1.9 Fwd. Step=15.4
5% Bab = 0.39
13.5
0.5 deg

Cv
V

=
=

4.3
46 MPH = 40 Knots

Results

Conclusions
Wetted Length aligned well
5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0

5
4.5
4
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
TRIM

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

Vessel Trim aligned well

Afterbody Lift overpredicted by
WPM versus Example
Overall WPM appears to produce
results in good alignment with
validation case
Validation case example only and
not tank model.
AB WETTED KEEL
LENGTH

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 30

6.2 Example Craft USNA Garland Validation

Design Particulars Garland Validation Case
LOA
Bab
Bfb
bab
bfb

=
=
=
=
=

4.8
1.5
1.5
15 deg
15 deg

Displ.=
LCG =
Hs
=
Hs
=
Lab =

57.45 #
0.3 step = 1.97 FWD.
2%, 4% & 6% Bab
0.03, 0.06, 0.09
1.67

aab

0.0 deg

Cv
V

=
=

varies
varies MPH

Notes:
1.
Tow Tank Model
2.
Analysis Run at model size
3.
Potential problems with
scaling

Conclusions

Results
5

8.5

8.5
0% STEP HT. - O5
0% STEP HT. USNA

Trim Angle (Degrees)

4.5

7.5
4% STEP
HT. - O5

2% STEP
HT. - O5
7.5

4% STEP
HT. - USNA

7.5

2% STEP
HT. - USNA

6.5

6% STEP HT.
- O5
7
6% STEP HT.
- USNA

6.5

6.5

5.5

4.5

5.5

3.5

5.5
3.5
4.5
3
3.5

2.5

4.5

2.5
2.5

3.5

4.5

Cv (non-dim. speed)

5.5

2.5

2.5
2.5

3.5

4.5

Garland concluded that

4% step height optimum
for resistance.
Garland concluded that
ventilation by natural
means sufficient and
does not affect
resistance.
Vessel Trim aligned well
within applicable Cv
Range
Craft Lift and Resistance
did not align with WPM
due to scaling effects

3.5

4.5

Cv (non-dim. speed)

5.5

2.5

3.5

4.5

Cv (non-dim. speed)

Cv (non-dim. speed)

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 31

7.0 Computational Fluid Dynamics

What is CFD:
Employs numerical solution to the Navier Stokes Equations by
discretization of a fluid volume within and around a solid shape.
Non-Linear Solution can solve for steady state or dynamic system in
time
Reynolds-average Navier-Stokes includes Turbulence Modelling
Various Turbulence Models and other features can be included
Full Navier Stokes solutions can include free surface and mixed
flow/multi-phase
Volume Air Fraction used to understand Mixed Air / Water System

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 32

7.0 CFD
Why is it important:
Permits simulation of effects that cannot be modelled using SemiEmpirical or Analytical Methods

What Can it do:

Model the Steady State of the Craft Operating in the Water and Air
Aero and Hydro Effects
Model Dynamic, time Varying Effects,..ie porpoising
Model Small Features like Pads, Strakes
Measure Pressures, flow velocities and vectors, Spray Shapes
Measure Rigid Body Forces

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 33

7.0 CFD

Limits & Challenges to CFD for Stepped Hulls:

Meshing Detail around small details

Time Step and Number Iterations / Step & Convergence
Validation, Validation, Validation
Alignment with Seatrials
Whats Real Dilemma or the curse of the management plot
Garbage In / Garbage Out

Validation
Weights
Centers
Model / Mesh Quality
Propulsive Forces / Prop. Model (Lift Forces)
Time Varying Forces Modelled
Damping
Aero Model

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 34

1) Wake Profile Method for the design of stepped

hulls can be used effectively to reliably predict the
performance of the craft based on a basic design
parameters.
2) Higher order methods, such as CFD, must be used
to further optimize and investigate additional
detailed design elements, and performance
characteristics such as maneuvering, pre-planing
regimes and shape of steps in planform.

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 35

References:
1. Savitsky, Daniel and Michael Morabito. Surface Wave Contours Associated with the Forebody
Wake of Stepped Planing Hulls. Marine Technology Vol. 47, No. 1, pp. 1-16 (2010).
2. Savitsky, Daniel. Hydrodynamic Design of Planing Hulls. Marine Technology (1964).
3. Garland, William R., Midshipman First Class, Stepped Planing Hull Investigation. Senior Paper,
United States Naval Academy 2010
4. Clement, Eugene P. and Joseph G. Koelbel. Optimized Designs for Stepped Planing Monohulls
and Catamarans. High Performance Marine Vehicles (1992): PC35-43.
5. Faltinsen, Odd M. Hydrodynamics of High-Speed Marine Vehicles. New York: Cambridge
University Press, 2005.
6. Smyth, Pete, Stepping in the the Future, Professional Boatbuilder , Number 5, June/July 1990.
7. Hadler, J.B., The Prediction of Power Performance on Planing Craft. SNAME Transactions
1966
8. Milwitzky, B. ,A General Theoretical and Experimental Investigation of Motions and
Hydrodynamic Loads Eperienced by V-bottom Seaplanes during Step Landing Conditions.
NACA TN 1516 Wash. DC 1948
9. Mssrs. Morabito & Savitsky, Personal Communications via Email, Summer 2010

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect

OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 36

Thanks for Your Interest

Visit Floridas Treasure Coast

Home to Ocean5 and Stuart Composites

Sailfish Capital of the World

Robert Kaidy - Naval Architect
OCEAN5 NAVAL ARCHITECTS

IBEX 2013 SESSION 302

Adv. Topics in Stepped Hull Design
Page 37