Abstract
This paper presents the results of an experimental and numerical study on the towing characteristics of a barge. A series of model tests were carried out at the Ocean Engineering Basin of KRISO. A model with a 1:50 scale ratio was constructed out of wood. First, force coefficient tests were performed in order to obtain the surge, sway, and yaw force coefficients of the barge. The focus was the effect of skeg on the force coefficients. The stability parameter was calculated from the force coefficients. Next, towing tests in calm sea were carried out with different towline lengths and towing speeds. The trajectories of the barge and the towline tensions were measured during the tests. The measured trajectories were compared with numerical simulation results using a cross-flow model. The towing stability of the barge in a calm sea is discussed in detail.
