The majority of experimental work in NAME is carried out in the Kelvin Hydrodynamics Laboratory; this is a large facility located adjacent to the West of Scotland Science Park in the North-West of Glasgow. This laboratory is used for undergraduate and postgraduate student project work, research projects and commercial testing.
Key applications areas include survivability of damaged ships, fluid structure-interaction for slender structures, sporting fluid dynamics and marine renewable energy. In recent years we have become one of the leading providers of testing services to the UK tidal and wave energy industry, providing highly repeatable and controllable conditions for testing of wave and tidal energy devices at moderate scale.
Principal Functions
The tank is commonly used for a wide range of marine hydrodynamics tests including measurement of:
Ship Resistance and sea-keeping; Unsteady motion of ships and floating bodies; Survivability of damaged ships; Hydrodynamics of towed surface-piercing and submerged bodies. Ocean engineering studies including Vortex-induced vibration and vortex-induced motion. Wave impact and slamming studies; Marine Renewable Energy studies including device performance, maintainability and survivability; Sporting fluid dynamics.
Specifications
Tank dimensions: 76m x 4.6m x 2.5m
Carriage: Computer-controlled digital drive: max speed 5m/s. Equipped with digitally-controlled sub-carriage.
Wavemaker: Variable-water-depth computer-controlled four-flap absorbing wavemaker generating regular or irregular waves over 0.5m height (subject to water depth)
High quality variable-water-depth sloping beach, with reflection coefficient typically less than 5% over frequency range of interest.
Data acquisition: PC based modular data acquisition/control system. Up to 64 input and 20 output channels, sample rate up to 60kHz
General Details
The tank provides excellent conditions for measuring performance of surface ships and a wide variety of floating and underwater structures. Ship models used are typically up to 4m in length. High-quality single-frequency waves and random sea-states may be generated with wave heights well over 0.5m. Motions of floating vessels and structures are measured using a state-of-the-art real-time non-contact infrared camera system.
Resistance dynamometers for different vessel types and model sizes are available as well as a six degree-of-freedom dynamometer for force measurement. Up to 25 wave probes may be used to determine water surface elevation in the tank. A 3-axis fluid velocity measurement system is also available, and a PIV system is currently being installed. Pressure distributions on model surfaces can be measured. Above-water and underwater video systems are available.
Location
For directions to the facility, please click here
Technical Support
Technician support for testing is normally supplied. Ship model making and fit-out services are available; complex shapes can be manufactured using a 5m CNC router. Customised mechanical systems and transducers can be manufactured.
Availability
The facilities are available to other bodies in both the private and public sector. There are no restrictions on the type of body that can apply to use the facility. A minimum of one months advance notice is ideally required when asking for time on the facility.
Charging Basis
Charging rates are subject to individual negotiation. The minimum hire period is one day.
Site Access
Ready access for vehicles.
