Thrust Analysis and Type of Kaplan Series and B Series Torque 
Propeller on Monohull, Catamaran, and Trimaran Vessels with 
Variations in Number of Blade using Computational Fluid Dynamic 
Berlian Adietya, Deddy Chrismianto, Jatie Erlangga and Harno 
Naval Architecture Department, Diponegoro University, 50275 Semarang, Indonesia 
Keywords: Propeller, Monohull, Catamaran, Trimaran, CFD. 
Abstract:  One part of the propulsion system is a propeller. The choice of a good driving device will affect the force of 
the ship. One way of selecting a ship propulsion is the selection of the propeller type as well as providing 
new variations of the propeller to produce the maximum thrust force. Kaplan series and B Series are the 
most widely used blade type propellers on ships. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum 
thrust value and the lowest torque from the variation of the monohull, catamaran and trimaran propeller 
vessels. Variations made are adding the number of blades to 4 and 5. The model was simulated using the 
computational fluid dynamic method on the Ansys CFX software. The results of this study indicate that the 
monohull propeller K6 60 Series pitch ratio 0.7 has the greatest thrust value of 333797 N. For catamaran 
ships, propeller K4 60 Series pitch ratio 0.6 has the greatest thrust value of 61986.4 N. For trimaran ships, 
propeller K4 60 Series pitch ratio 0.6 has the greatest thrust value of 0.8727 N. 
1 PRELIMINARY 
Propeller efficiency is influenced by several things 
including the shape of the ship's hull and the ship's 
propulsion system itself. 
In determining the optimal ship propulsion 
system, propeller design planning is an important 
aspect that needs attention. Ship propeller design is 
also considered for ship operational needs in terms 
of its economy (Hartono, 2008). Propeller is one 
aspect that must be planned properly to achieve the 
purpose of the ship's function in achieving speed. 
The speed of the ship cannot be separated from the 
good propeller design in order to get the optimal 
thrust produced by propeller motion (Nurul, 2013). 
Seen from its function, monohull, catamaran, and 
trimaran vessels must have a good propulsion 
system to produce optimal thrust values in the 
propeller. Thrust is the driving force that results 
from the lifting force on the back of the propeller 
that moves and is in line with the movement of the 
ship. One of the requirements that need to be 
considered in the propeller design to get maximum 
thrust is the number of blades (Trimulyono, 2015). 
The greater the value of the blade area ratio, the 
greater the thrust force (Bangkit et.al, 2016). The 
previous Kaplan series type propeller design is the 
addition of the propeller end plate (Andilolo, 2017).  
In this study, the propeller planning made is to 
do variations in the number of blade added. Blade 
area ratio is the ratio between the blade area of the 
propeller and the full rotation area of the blade tip or 
commonly referred to as A0 (Bangkit et.al, 2016). 
While the pitch ratio is the axial distance round the 
propeller. 
The study conducted is to do variations on the 
existing propeller model. Variations made include 
increasing the number of propeller blade to 4 and 5 
blade.  
The limitation of the problem in this study is to 
only analyze the thrust and torque values of the 
variation of the propeller model. This study also 
ignores the factors and conditions of fluid flow from 
the ship's hull and only analyzes the flow 
distribution behind the propeller. The shape of the 
propeller hub was also ignored in this study. 
Propeller variation model will be analyzed using 
computational fluid dynamic method. In this study 
do not do the cost analysis calculation. 
The purpose of this study was to obtain the 
greatest thrust value and torque from the variation of 
the propeller model that was carried out. This study 
is expected to provide benefits in the development of 
shipping technology, especially in the field of ship 
Dynamic.