The Ship Hydromechanics lab welcomes the upgraded Wave-Flume Tank
A number of internal relocations have taken place in the 3mE building the past year and one of them was the relocation of the Wave-Flume Tank. The tank has been moved from building section J to the API hall nearby in Leeghwaterstraat, which is popularly referred to as 'the inverted bathtub' to create space for projects being conducted in the Fluid Mechanics Lab. The relocation project team of Peter Wellens (M&TT), Rob van den Boogaard (P&E), Joey Kouwenhoven (CRE) and Peter Poot (M&TT)is happy to announce that finally the Wave-Flume Tank has returned home : at the Ship Hydromechanics Lab. ‘’Not only has it been moved but also upgraded with new features such as an addition of 12 cameras to measure the ship position at one tenth of a millimeter and a new wave maker.’’, says Peter Wellens Project Leader of M&TT for the relocation of this facility.
The Wave-Flume Tank is used by master students in their projects, as well as in ongoing research. A current can be generated in the tank containing a model ship. The sensors on the models and on the Flume Tank make it possible to measure and simulate a wide range of conditions and situations. The ship models can be programmed to dynamically positioning themselves for the desired operation, in the presence of disturbances like current and waves in the Flume Tank. In future wind could be added as a potential disturbance.
PhD student Anna Boon is doing research with the Wave-Flume Tank in the Ship Hydromechanics Lab. With this facility she has gathered over 300 hours of experimental data, obtaining a large data set for a forward sailing ship in waves. This has led to new insights into extreme wave impacts on ships: rare events that can lead to damage and potentially even sinking.
Team work moving ten tons of steel
Relocating the Wave-Flume Tank to the Ship Hydromechanics Lab involved moving a total of ten tons of steel, eight strong men, and a lot of spatial insight as there was originally not enough space in the lab to accommodate the tank. Once placed in its new location, the technicians of M&TT Department together with Anna Boon gave the tank its final touches to make it fully operational again. From demolishing walls and removing office spaces to placing the tank on a massive pedestal because of its weight and installing the camera system, the results are noteworthy. Assistant Professor Sebastian Schreier, Lab Coordinator of the Ship Hydromechanics Lab : ‘’With the arrival of the Wave-Flume Tank at the Ship Hydromechanics lab we can carry out new and high-quality measurements and develop new measurement techniques that will contribute to the future expansion of the lab and its research.’’
