Optimization of Cooperative Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Configuration Using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Finite Volume (CFD)

Abstract

Cooperative AUV performance and efficiency is directly related to its power efficiency. The power consumption for this type of underwater vehicle is influenced by its motion requirement since most of the power is spent for thruster propulsion. Drag force is known as the main parameter in resisting the body motion. In the present study, the behavior of this force is studied by using computational fluid dynamic approach (CFD). One position arrangement of cooperative AUV is chosen to study the drag variation. The effect of distance between the configurations of four AUV was investigated. The configuration was determined using response surface method (RSM). The comparison between different distances is discussed in this paper. Present study elucidates that the distance behind the leading AUV does not give much effect to the drag force