200m Towing Tank

A full 200 meters in length, the 200 Meter Towing Tank can provide data on resistance and propulsion, wake surveys, flow visualization and other vessel tests. Its towing carriage has a maximum speed of 10 meters per second and modular test instruments allow fast installation and connection between model and carriage. The dual-flap wavemaker can generate regular waves of up to 1 meter in height, as well as irregular waves. Wave-lengths can vary between 0.5 and 40 meters, with wave reflection prevented by a parabolic beach at the opposite end.

Several unique pieces of equipment augment the tank's capabilities, including: the Yacht Dynamometer, which was developed for America's Cup research; the Marine Dynamic Test Facility, which is capable of evaluating underwater vehicles in six degrees of freedom of motion; the Planar Motion Mechanism, which provides precise information on the maneuvering ability of vessels; the VIV Test Apparatus, used to measure VIV loads on risers; and the Mooring Ring, which allows rapid and accurate changeover of mooring configurations.

Instrumentation and Equipment:

• 12 - 530mm Diameter Fans
  
• Hydraulically Operated Dual-Falp Wave Maker
  
• Parabolic End Beach (absorbs waves)
  
• Strain Gauge Load Cells
  
• Precision Dynamometers (measure force and
  moments in 6 degrees of freedom
  
• Capacitance Waves Probes
  
• Qualisys™ Optical Motion Tracking (measures motions of multiple bodies)
  
• Accelerometer Arrays Motionpak (measures lateral accelerations and rotational rates)
  
• Propeller Dynamometer (for thrust and torque)
  
• Propulsion Control System (including dynamic
  positioning system with azimuthing thrusters)
  
• 5-hole Pitot Tube wake Survey Apparatus
  
• Laser Doppler Velocimeter (for non-intrusive
  flow measurement)
  
• Above water and Underwater Video
  
• 64 Channel Data Acquisition

Specialized Instrumentation:

• Large Amplitude Horizontal Planar Motion
  Mechanism
  • Measures maneuvering performance of surface vessels
    
    
• Marine Dynamics Test Facility
  • Only one of its type in world
    
  • Can oscillate a body in 5 degrees of freedom while measuring forces and moments
    
  • Measures stability and dynamic performance of underwater vehicles and towed bodies
    
    
• Yacht Dynamometer
  • Most accurate in world
    
  • Gives precise measurement of forces and moments on hull of sailing yacht over full range of operational conditions
    
  • Handles models over 8 meters in length
    
  • Used in design of Whitbread, America's Cup and ocean yachts
    
    
• VIV Test Apparatus
  • Optimizes the design of suppression devices
  
  
  

Applications:

• Resistance and propulsion testing of ship models in calm water and waves
  
• Deep water testing of floating offshore structure models
  
• High-speed marine craft testing

Tests Performed:

• Resistance and Propulsion
  
• Wake Survey
  
• Flow Visualization
  
• Propeller Open water
  
• Seakeeping
  
• Maneuvering
  
• Sailing Yacht Performance
  
• Wind Load Measurement and Modeling
  
• Dynamic Testing of Underwater Vehicles and Towed Bodies
  
• Motion Studies and Mooring Load Measurements of Floating Structures

Related Projects:

• FPSO in Extreme Seas - A performance evaluation involving resistance and propulsion in open water.
  
• Ro-Ro Vessels - A performance evaluation investigating flooding and capsizing.
  
• Sailing Yacht Performance - Tests involving three different conditions to assess the effect of displacement on performance, and including a trim study upright and at 25 degrees heel to determine the optimum sailing trim.
  
• Three-column Semisubmersible Mobile Offshore Production Unit - Performance evaluation investigating hydrodynamic characteristics of the design of the unit and its likely performance in calm water, waves and current.
  
• Type 1100 Icebreaker. Tests involving head seas seakeeping to observe water on decks and to determine suitability for a dual science/icebreaking role.
  
• US Coast Guard Seagoing Buoy Tender (WLB) and Coastal Buoy Tender (WLM) - Performance evaluation including resistance, propulsion, maneuvering, seakeeping and wake survey.
  
• 160-foot Motor Yacht - An investigation of the hydrodynamic characteristics in calm water and in waves.
  
• 130-foot Motor Yacht Design - Tests involving hydrodynamics of hull performance in calm water and in waves.

Download Specification Sheet