Experimental free-drop test investigation into wet-deck slamming loads on a generic trimaran section considering the influence of main hull profile

Abstract

The characteristics of wet-deck slamming of a generic trimaran section were investigated through a series of free-drop model tests in this paper. Two models were designed with different main hull profiles. One was the original model which was designed according to a generic trimaran section. The other one was a modified model with a weakened main hull to reduce the disturbance to the flow field during main hull water entry. The displacement, acceleration, slamming pressures were measured directly, and the free surface dynamics were recorded with a high-speed camera. It is found that the main hull profile has a critical influence on the process and mechanism of wet-deck slamming through the comparison between experimental results of these two models. With regard to the original model, the impact on the bottom of the main hull occurred firstly and resulted in violent disturbance of the flow field before wet-deck slamming. While no obvious impact phenomenon occurred on the main hull of modified model. Furthermore, the main hull profile also has an important influence on the magnitude and spatial distribution of wet-deck slamming loads.