THE SHIP DYNAMIC TEST MACHINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA

A description is given of a recently completed Ship Dynamic Test Machine which was created for use in the experimental study of local structural response of ship forward bottom structure to water impact loads as found in ship slamming. The complete test facility consists of the test machine, a specially designed and constructed test tank, and an instrumentation van which houses the necessary machine controls as well as the instrumentation and recording equipment. The general characteristics, design and operation of each component is discussed. In addition, test results from the first series of tests are presented and discussed. These results show that the available theories of flat impact do not realistically represent impact conditions even in the carefully controlled experimental situation. The influence of air trapped between the impacting flat surface and the undisturbed free surface of the fluid may be of fundamental importance in determining the magnitude of impact pressures generated. It is further noted that when the water surface is disturbed or rough at the initial stage of an impact, maximum may be higher locally, though generally the total impact force is less.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of California, Berkeley

  College of Engineering
  Berkeley, CA  United States  94720
• Authors:
  • Maclean, W M
• Publication Date: 1966-1

Media Info

• Pagination: 95 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Slamming; Structural tests; Test facilities; Test procedures
• Uncontrolled Terms: Structural testing
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Marine Transportation; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00026979
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: NA-66-1
• Contract Numbers: MA-2620
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 2 1973 12:00AM