AN IN-SITU INVESTIGATION OF OIL BARRIER SHAPE AND DRAG COEFFICIENTS

In-situ experimentation on a moored 100 foot section of commercially procured oil barrier was carried out. The objectives of this study were three-fold: To study oil barrier shape and tensions as influenced by current and wave action, to analyze data on the barrier shape with existing analyses and to compare results of tension and drag coefficient data with previous investigations. Actual barrier shape, measured by transit, was compared to a theoretical catenary drawn through the barrier end points. Shape, load, current, and wave data were used to calculate various drag coefficients for the boom. Two techniques were used to calculate drag coefficients for the barrier and results of each were compared. The effects of wave action on barrier loading were determined by the analysis of two previous investigators and the results compared. Values of drag coefficient were reduced to a basic drag coefficient, independent of barrier shape configuration as well as wave effects. Results of the investigation showed that the catenary curve is a good approximation to barrier shape.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Rhode Island, Kingston

  Department of Ocean Engineering, 227 Water Hall
  Kingston, RI  United States  02881

  United States Coast Guard

  Office of Research and Development, 400 7th Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Larrabee, R M
  • Brown, G A
• Publication Date: 1974-7-1

Media Info

• Pagination: 219 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Boom lifts; Catenaries (Railroads); Computer programs; Containing equipment; Drag; Flow; Fluid dynamics; Mathematical analysis; Ocean currents; Ocean waves; Oil spills; Tension; Test procedures; Traffic barriers; Water pollution
• Uncontrolled Terms: Barriers; Fluid flow
• Old TRIS Terms: Booms equipment; Containment general
• Subject Areas: Hydraulics and Hydrology; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00093416
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: Final Rpt., USCG-D-161-75
• Contract Numbers: DOT-CG-33962-A
• Files: NTIS
• Created Date: Dec 29 1976 12:00AM