EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF A SYSTEMATIC SERIES OF LOW LENGTH-BEAM RATIO, HIGH BLOCK COEFFICIENT MERCHANT SHIP FORMS

An experimental investigation was carried out with a systematic series of low length-beam ratio, high block coefficient merchant ship forms to provide fundamental hydrodynamic data primarily applicable to design and economic studies of large, bulk carrier ship types. A suitable parent and system for generating offspring forms was developed based on the premise of attaining good hydrodynamic characteristics while satisfying practical design requirements for single-screw ships at the extremes of the hull proportion range covered. Eight 18 to 26-foot models were constructed to represent the following hull variations: longitudinal center of buoyancy between 2.5 and 3.5 percent forward of midships with constant length-beam ratio of 5.5, block coefficient of 0.875 and beam-draft ratio of 3.0; length-beam ratio between 5.5 and 6.5 with constant block coefficient of 0.875, beam-draft ratio of 3.0, and longitudinal center of buoyancy position of 2.5 percent; and length-beam ratio between 4.5 and 5.5 with constant block coefficient of 0.85, beam-draft ratio of 3.0, and longitudinal center of buoyancy position of 2.5 percent forward of midships. Models were also constructed to represent variations of: diameter and length of horizontal cylindrical bow-bulbs, rudder size, and propeller diameter. The experimental program consisted of planar-motion- mechanism tests to determine stability and control characteristics in addition to the standard resistance and propulsion tests normally conducted for most modern methodical series. The resulting experimental data are presented mainly in the form of nondimensional design charts suitable for application to a wide range of ship sizes. In addition, merit comparisons of various performance characteristics are made and discussed on basis of standard-ship prototypes having equal full-load displacements of 350,000 tons. Test data for individual models as well as detailed descriptions of test apparatus, techniques, and procedures used are presented in the appendixes.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Available only to U.S. Companies through the Maritime Administration, Office of Maritime Technology, Washington, D.C. 20230.
• Corporate Authors:

  Hydronautics, Incorporated

  7210 Pindel School Road
  Laurel, MD  United States  20810
• Authors:
  • Gertler, M
  • Kohl, R E
  • Kirkman, K L
• Publication Date: 1973-6

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 287 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bulk carriers; Economic analysis; Energy consumption; Maneuvering; Naval architecture; Propulsion; Tests; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Ship design
• Old TRIS Terms: Model testing; Planar motion mechanism; Power prediction; Propulsion tests
• Subject Areas: Design; Economics; Energy; Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00148465
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Maritime Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: No. 7166-1 Tech. Rpt.
• Contract Numbers: 1-35587
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Feb 23 1977 12:00AM