INTERACTION FORCES BETWEEN SHIPS

The thesis develops a theoretical model for predicting ship interactions that should be useful in a ship trajectory analysis. The method assumes that when ships are close together, the potential field is the main source of the interaction forces. The flows around the ships are represented by using half bodies of revolution generated with axial singularity distributions. A second axial distribution of doublets were included to correct for cross flows and thus maintain the rigid body boundary condition. Following the determination of the fluid flows, the forces were calculated using Lagally's theorem as expanded by W. E. Cummins. The principal result was a computerized model to predict forces resulting from steady, parallel motion of bodies of revolution moving in an infinite ideal fluid. The program is capable of handling ship geometries in rectilinear motion. It was found that the theoretical model produced similar results when compared with model tests conducted by D. W. Taylor, however, those tests were a set of more valid empirical data.

• Corporate Authors:

  Massachusetts Institute of Technology

  Department of Ocean Engineering, 77 Massachusetts Avenue
  Cambridge, MA  United States  02139
• Authors:
  • Fortson III, R M
• Publication Date: 1974-5

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bodies of revolution; Maneuvering; Ship motion; Ship simulators; Simulation
• Old TRIS Terms: Model testing; Restricted water operation; Ship interaction
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Operations and Traffic Management; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00071692
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Nov 12 1974 12:00AM