Plans and Specifications for a Full-Scale Towing Model Validation Experiment
Abstract
The study of the dynamics of tension extremes developed during open ocean towing has been an ongoing project at MIT. Analytical models have been developed to predict the extreme towline tensions based on the theory of short term extremal statistics (Frimm, 1987). The U.S. Navy has adopted these models as the technical basis for the prediction of dynamic towline loadings in the U. S. Navy Towing Manual (1988). Although the theory is the most advanced currently available, it has not been validated by full-scale experiment at sea. This study involves the planning of a field test to assess the accuracy and applicability of these analytical predictions. An overview of the important design considerations in the planning of a full-scale towing experiment is presented. A discussion of each of the parameters to be measured during the experiment is included with a description of various types of instruments available and their calibration procedures are described. A sensitivity analysis was performed to help identify the relative importance of length, mean static tension, wind speed, and size of towed vessel on the developed dynamic in order to define conditions that would have a larger ranges of dynamic tensions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA213442
Entities
People
- Erik N. Christensen
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology