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Abstract

A new series of highly efficient medium-speed wave-piercing catamarans is under development
to reduce the environmental impact of fast sea transportation. They will operate at
speeds where mutual interference between waves and increased resistance produces the characteristic
hump in the ship's resistance curve. The challenge is the assessment of the effects
of the change in operating conditions on the waterjet propulsion system. Waterjets are used
for high-speed multihulls due to their high efficiency when operating at speeds beyond hump
speed. However, they are generally not used for medium-speed applications due to the assumed
decrease in efficiency at lower speed.
A series of self-propulsion tests of a high-speed wave-piercing catamaran at medium-speeds
was carried out to study the influence of the hydrodynamics at medium-speeds on the waterjet
propulsors. The model tests were carried out using load varied (i.e. British method)
self-propulsion testing in calm water. Due to size requirements of the model, a single demihull
was utilised in close proximity to the side wall of the towing tank which acts as the plane
of symmetry, reflecting waves generated by the demihull and therefore providing the correct
blockage effects and wave interference for the non-existing second demihull.
The results were validated using full-scale sea trials data for the vessel under consideration
and for waterjet unit performance comparisons, a set of benchmark data was supplied
by the waterjet unit manufacturer. The model tests showed that the propulsion unit at
model scale is capable of reflecting the characteristics of the full scale waterjet. Furthermore,
a new, thrust based extrapolation method was introduced and utilised with the results of
the experimental testing carried out for the waterjet propulsion study. The results of this
extrapolation were in correlation with the available full scale powering sea trials data.

Item Type:	Thesis - PhD
Authors/Creators:	Zürcher, K
Keywords:	waterjet, performance estimation, experimental, model testing, thrust estimation, self-propulsion test, catamaran, powering
Copyright Information:	Copyright 2016 The Author
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