Modares Mechanical Engineering

Modares Mechanical Engineering

Developing a Graphical User Interface Background Named SUT-AUVSIM for the AUV Maneuverability Analysis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 1Maritime Engineering Department, Khorramshahr University of Maritime and Technology, Khorramshahr, Iran
2 2Mechanical Engineering Department, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
10.48311/mme.2026.117984.82899
Abstract
The design and maneuvering analysis of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) typically require multiple independent tools, resulting in time-consuming and inefficient workflows. To address this limitation, this research introduces SUT-AUVSIM, a novel graphical user interface that integrates hydrodynamic body design, derivative estimation, and maneuvering simulation within a single framework, significantly reducing the overall analysis time from several months to a few minutes. The software enables users to design C-type AUV hulls based on DARPA classes, Series 58, Myring, and DRDC configurations, which are not simultaneously supported in existing tools. Once the body is designed, SUT-AUVSIM estimates the hydrodynamic derivatives of the main body and appendages using strip theory. The algorithm includes a database of control surface profiles, such as NACA 0009, 0012, 0015, and elliptic sections, to facilitate design flexibility. After computing the derivatives, the software simulates traditional marine maneuvers, including turning, descending, and helical motions. The simulation results are exported as a .txt file, containing data such as position, velocities, Euler angles, and effective angles of attack for the appendages. The maneuver parameters are generated quickly, allowing users to evaluate the impact of hydrodynamic parameters on the maneuverability of AUVs. This capability makes SUT-AUVSIM a valuable tool for optimizing AUV designs and improving their performance in real-world scenarios.
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