The optimal design of marine propellers is therefore a complex multi-objective optimization problem. Traditional experimental methods, although valuable for reproducing real physical phenomena, remain limited due to their high cost and the complexity of the underlying physics. This has led to an increased reliance on numerical simulation techniques, which offer greater flexibility in exploring design variations. However, numerical methods must balance simulation fidelity with computational cost. Integrating numerical tools into the optimization process thus requires a strategy that enables both broad exploration of the design space and targeted refinement of promising solutions.
A multi-fidelity approach addresses this need by combining low-fidelity methods – such as Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT), which enables rapid evaluation of large design spaces – with high-fidelity techniques such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), used to refine and validate optimal designs. This hierarchical integration supports efficient and accurate development of high-performance marine propellers.
Aymen MEFTI is visiting scholar at Aircraft Design and Systems Group (AERO) from École Militaire Polytechnique (EMP). Registered at Center for Postgraduate Studies (CPS), Hamburg University of Applied Sciences (HAW Hamburg).