Analysis of full ship types in high-blockage lock configurations

Representative bulk carriers (length of 230 to 245 m, beam 37 and 38 m) are analysed by means of model testing and real-time simulations in a realistic high-blockage lock scenario to give advice to the corresponding authorities on the feasibility and potential constraints. In the future, the model test series might be extended to also account for other ship types and different navigation locks to eventually improve the ship-lock interaction module of the ship manoeuvring simulators at Flanders Hydraulics Research. Model tests of a full ship type in high-blockage lock configurations are conducted for a vessel during entry and exit of a navigation lock. The model tests are self-propelled with optional “tug” assistance by air fans mounted on top of the model, which can provide an additional longitudinal force. Ship speed, lateral forces and vertical motions at bow and stern are measured. Additionally, the water elevations at the ships bow, inside the navigation lock and in the approach channel are logged, information that can also be used to assess the forces acting on the lock compound. Simulations are performed in real-time by experienced pilots with the current implementation of the ship-lock interaction module based on equations published by Vrijburcht. The evaluation is based on comments of the pilots and the analysis of logged data with focus on trajectory plots, engine settings, speeds and tugboat usage. These data results are additionally validated by fullscale measurements onboard of the Koutalianos sailing to the port of Ghent. The paper will give a detailed introduction to the examined problem, a description of the model test setup, test series and simulator study before stating some concluding remarks and proposing future work. Parameter Unit Full scale Model scale Chamber length [m] 290.00 4.785 Max. chamber length [m] 355.00 6.246 Lock width [m] 40.00 0.660 Bottom of lock [m NAP] -12.82 -0.212 Sill on river side [m NAP] -12.82 -0.212 Sill on canal side [m NAP] -11.37 -0.188 Water level river side [m NAP] -3.50 to 5.75 -0.058 to 0.095 Water level canal side [m NAP] 2.13 0.035 Parameter Unit Full scale Model scale Length b/w perpendiculars [m] 231.73 3.824 Length over all [m] 244.82 4.040 Beam [m] 38.00 0.627 Draught (ballast) [m] 9.00 0.149 Draught (maximal) [m] 12.50 0.206 Block coefficient (ballast) [-] 0.8037 0.8037 Block coefficient (maximal) [-] 0.8204 0.8204 Tab. 1: Principal Dimensions of the West lock Terneuzen Tab. 2: Principal dimensions of representative ship Fig. 1: Real view during entry of the West Lock in Terneuzen Fig. 2: Simulated view