Experimental analysis of podded propulsor on naval vessel

Abstract

This paper describes the effect of pod propulsor attachment to the existing Naval Vessel hull form which was designed for conventional propulsor in aspects of resistance and motion characteristics. These investigations were carried out on a 3.0 m model by experimental works in the towing tank 120m x 4m x 2.5m at the Marine Technology Centre (MTC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). The basis ship chosen for this study is Sealift class type MPCSS (Multi Purpose Command Support Ship). In this study, the design for the new pod propulsor is based on a proven design and scaled down to suit this type of hullform accordingly. This paper describes the resistance comparison between bare and podded hulls in calm water as well in waves. The seakeeping test for hull with and without pod in regular waves at service speed of 16.8 knots were carried out at wavelength to model length ratio, Lw/Lm between 0.2 and 1.2. The outcomes from this experimental works on hull with and without pod were compared.