Objective :The flow control plate rudder can significantly improve ship maneuverability. However, conventional flow control plate structures can lead to cavitation and flow-induced noise. Therefore, studying the influence of different flow control plate configurations on cavitation generation and hydrodynamic performance is of practical significance.

Methods Based on the STAR-CCM+ software, the k-ω turbulence model, the Schnerr-Sauer cavitation model, and the VOF (Volume of Fluid) method were employed for the design optimization and computational analysis of the flow control plate rudder. By altering the configuration of the flow control plate, the cavitation volume and hydrodynamic performance of various rudder designs were obtained. The effects of different flow control plate forms on rudder cavitation and hydrodynamic performance were discussed.

Results The research results indicate that adding a flow control plate rudder can enhance the steering force and improve rudder efficiency, with minimal impact on overall ship resistance. Furthermore, by incorporating a chamber-type flow control plate and optimizing its design, cavitation phenomena can be reduced. Compared to a conventional rudder, the flow control plate rudder significantly increases the steering force and efficiency, with the maximum lift coefficient improved by up to 18.31%, while its impact on total ship resistance remains small. The airfoil-chamber flow control plate rudder offers further optimized performance: it increases lift by 16.2% while only increasing the drag coefficient by 4.38%, reduces the cavitation volume by up to 2.54%, and significantly decreases the cavitation area, achieving an efficient balance between lift, drag, and cavitation performance.

Conclusion The findings can provide a reference for the design and selection of high-efficiency ship rudders.