Objectives  To comprehensively analyze the overall hydrodynamic performance and strength of the shape structure of a rim drive thruster(RDT), a method based on fluid structure interaction was proposed to solve the problem simultaneously.

  Methods  Firstly, the CFD method was used to calculate the thrust, torque, efficiency and other parameters of the RDT at three different nozzle configurations and different advanced speeds. By analyzing the hydrodynamic performance calculation results of the three structures, the optimal nozzle structure is determined. Then, by means of a simultaneous solution, the fluid calculation results were used as the load conditions for the strength check of the RDT, and the equivalent stress under actual working conditions was calculated.

  Results  The results showed that the nozzle configurations on the hydrodynamic performance of the RDT were very good. Even if the same propeller model was used, the different nozzle configurations will directly affect the thrust and efficiency of the RDT. When the RDT was configured with the best type of nozzle structure, the maximum equivalent stress of the propeller at the design speed was 68.16% of the allowable value, which can meet the strength requirements under the design conditions.

  Conclusions  The proposed method of fluid structure interaction is suitable for the effective analysis of hydrodynamic performance and strength check of the RDT.