EngineeringMarine EngineeringOcean EngineeringNaval ArchitecturePropulsionShip DesignHull Form DesignPropeller DesignPropeller HydrodynamicsPropulsion EfficiencyShip Model TestingShip StructuresCatamaran DesignCatamaran Hull GeometryDesign PhilosophyHull Form EffectsMaritime TowagePropeller Performance In Shallow WaterPropulsive CoefficientPropulsive Force Production
This paper was presented in Jan. 1982 at a S.N.A.M.E. meeting. The Authors discuss the design of river- towboat hull forms and propulsion arrangements, and review recent European research to illustrate the influence, on towboat propulsive performance, of limited water-depth, barge-train wake, nozzle propellers, and the arrangement of the barges. A design- procedure example is included for the propellers of a 5600-hp twin- screw towboat pushing a 15-barge tow in deep and shallow water. Conclusions are drawn concerning: reasons for the towboat's propulsive coefficient being lower than that of merchant ships; comparison, in model tests, between conventional and catamaran towboats; recommendations on tunnel stern design; published formulae which, for a 15-barge train, under-estimate tow- resistance and over-estimate towboat performance; and a design philosophy for selecting the propeller operating point.