Effect of passive U-tube tank on the roll stabilisation of a marine vehicle

In this paper, an experimental method to evaluate the sea keeping qualities of a typical marine vehicle in the roll mode has been described. A geosim model of the marine vehicle fitted with a passive U-tube tank stabiliser is prepared and tested for the beam sea condition in a 90m x 4m x 3m wave flume at Ocean Engineering Centre, IITM, Chennai. The model experiments are carried out at different operating conditions for various wave climate. A comparative study on the roll stabilisation has been carried out and the results are presented with discussions to impart an additional insight knowledge for the designers about the performance of a passive U-tube tank stabiliser, so as to enable them to evolve marine vehicles with good sea keeping qualities.