Professors: prof.dr.ir. J.A.Pinkster, prof.dr.ir. G. Kuiper

This field of specialization can be divided into two parts:

• Hydrostatics: mainly concentrated on ships in still water (Carène stability, bulkhead curve).

• Hydromechanics: relates to the interaction between water and ship, both in still water and in waves.

Subjects in this field:

• Resistance and propulsion.

• Ship motions as a result of waves and navigation.

The section has the disposal of the necessary computer facilities and software, two tow tanks and a small cavitation tunnel. Both tow tanks (L = 80m and L = 145m) have the disposal of a hydraulic wave generator (flaptype). The cavitation tunnel is mainly used for profile research.

Ever since 1963, about 100 people have graduated and about 15 people have obtained their Ph.D.-degree under the guidance of a supervisor from this section. There are employment opportunities for graduates in: research institutes, the Navy, the Department of Public Works, shipping inspection, offshore, education, design agencies, propeller factories, shipyards.

Ship hydromechanics

1. Optimization of semi-submersibles.

2. Designing wind propulsion fishing research vessel.

3. Rolling stabilization by means of weights.

4. Oscillation and/or stabilization of the rolling motion by means of the rudder.

5. Behaviour of tow boat at sea with regard to motions and resistance.

6. Finite Element Methods applied to the calculation of added mass and damping (of offshore constructions).

7. Calculation of hydrodynamic forces on a catamaran.

8. Motions of a SWATH in waves with influence of fins.

9. Swell behaviour of planing vessels.

10. Capsizing of lifeboats.

11. Heavy cargo ships, stability during loading and offloading.

12. Broaching of fast small vessels.

13. Push-towing, manoeuvring with 6-flat-bottom craft combinations.

14. Ship motions as a result of waves in shallow water.

15. Optimization of the ship model in connection with ship motions.

16. Research into a suitable ship model from a resistance and propulsion point of view.

17. Studies concerning frictional resistance or wave resistance, the calculation or experimental determination thereof, the research into factors affecting them.

18. Studies concerning the properties of ship propellers, propellers in nozzles, Voith-Schneider propellers, counterrotating propellers or other propulsion mechanisms, in still water and in waves.

19. Research into the interaction between ship and propulsion mechanism.

20. Research into factors affecting cavitation.

21. Determination of the relation between hull models and wake.

22. Designing ship propellers with hydrofoil theory.

23. Resistance prediction of catamaran, hydrofoils.

24. Research into nozzles.

25. Motion reduction of an oil storage tanker.

26. Behaviour of planing vessels in high waves.

At present, the research in the Ship Hydromechanics laboratory primarily relates to the following themes: