Experimental drop test investigation into slamming loads on a truncated 3D bow flare model

• Published in: Ocean engineering 2018-12, Vol.169, p.567-585
• Main Authors: Xie, Hang, Ren, Huilong, Deng, Baoli, Tang, Haoyun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: 3D effects; Bow flare model; Slamming loads; VOF method; Water entry
• ISSN: 0029-8018; 1873-5258
• DOI: 10.1016/j.oceaneng.2018.10.003

The 3D impact problem of generic vessels was investigated experimentally through a series of free drop tests. In the experiment, a larger scale truncated bow flare model whose shape is from the ship-lines was used. Experimental uncertainty is verified through analyzing the repeatability and hydroelastic effects and it is less than 5%. A complete dataset including the falling kinematics and slamming loads was provided for the validation of mathematical model, which is suitable for benchmarking generic vessels impacting water in 3-d flow regimes. In order to discuss the 3D effects, on the one hand, we formulated a VOF method to simulate water entry problem and provided the 2D numerical results for different ship-like sections of the bow flare model. The result shows the pressure obtained by 2D numerical method is about 25% larger than the experimental ones. On the other hand, we compared the pressure peaks by analyzing the influence of impact velocity against the space position. It suggests that the 3D effect is prominent nearby the bow while it is not so important in the other locations, and the complex fluid forms including flow separation and air cavity depended on the impact velocity greatly influences the pressure. •A series of drop tests of a large scale 3D truncated bow flare model were carried out.•The experimental data set including falling kinematics and slamming loads were provided.•A 2D CFD method was presented to compare the experimental results in order to quantify the 3D effects.•3D effects on impacting pressure peak were discussed in respects of air cavity and geometrical shape.