Journal Article

Study of shallow-water effects on ship maneuverability using free-running model tests

Matsuda, A., Yasukawa, H., Okuda, R., Sano, M.

2025

Overview

In this study, we conducted turning tests with rudder angles ± 35 ∘ and ± 20 ∘ / 20 ∘ zig-zag maneuver tests in deep and shallow water using a model of a 3,600 TEU container ship called KCS. Through the comparison of these test results with the free-running test results of three other ships, the shallow-water effect on the maneuverability was investigated. The shallow-water effects obtained during the turning and zig-zag maneuvers are as follows: Turning: The advance ( A D ) decreases slightly when the water depth-to-ship draft ratio ( h / d ) is approximately 2.0 and increases significantly as the water depth decreases. The tactical diameter ( D T ) (up to h / d = 2.0 ) is approximately the same as that in deep water and becomes significantly larger when h / d becomes smaller than 2.0. Thus, there is a slight difference in the appearance of the shallow-water effects in A D and D T . Zig-zag maneuvers: The overshoot angle increases slightly near h / d = 2.0 compared with that in deep water and becomes significantly smaller as the water depth becomes shallower. The forward distance ( l 20 ), until reaching the heading + 20 ∘ / - 20 ∘ after steering, was approximately the same as that in deep water or decreased slightly, until approximately h / d = 2.0 . Furthermore, it increased as the water depth decreased. This is because the course stability of the ship deteriorated at approximately h / d = 2.0 .

• Publisher: Springer Japan,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Automotive Engineering / Cargo ships / Container ships / Deep water / Engineering / Engineering Design / Engineering Fluid Dynamics / Load / Maneuverability / Maneuvers / Manoeuvrability / Mechanical Engineering / Offshore Engineering / Original Article / Shallow water / Simulation / Water / Water depth