Practical scaling method for underwater hydrodynamic model test of submarine

Abstract

This paper provides a practical scaling method to solve an old problem for scaling and developing the speed and resistance of a model to full-scale submarine in fully submerged underwater test. In every experimental test in towing tank, water tunnel and wind tunnel, in the first step, the speed of a model should be scaled to the full-scale vessel (ship or submarine). In the second step, the obtained resistance of the model should be developed. For submarine, there are two modes of movement: surface and submerged mode. There is no matter in surface mode because, according to Froudes law, the ratio of speed of the model to the full-scale vessel is proportional to the square root of lengths (length of the model on the length of the vessel). This leads to a reasonable speed and is not so much for the model that is applicable in the laboratory. The main problem is in submerged mode (fully submerged) that there isnt surface wave effect and therefore, Froudes law couldnt be used. Reynolds similarity is actually impossible to implement because it leads to very high speeds of the model that is impossible in a laboratory and inside the water. According to Reynolds similarity, the ratio of speed of the model to the full-scale vessel is proportional to the ratio of the full-scale length to the model length that leads to a too high speed. This paper proves that there is no need for exact Reynolds similarity because after a special Reynolds, resistance coefficient remains constant. Therefore, there is not compulsion for high speeds of the model. For proving this finding, three groups of results are presented: two cases are based on CFD method, and one case is based on the model test in towing tank. All these three results are presented for three different shapes that can show; this finding is independent of the shapes and geometries. For CFD method, Flow Vision software has been used.