The Effects of Cross-Sectional Geometry on Wave-Induced Loads for Underwater Vehicles

Abstract

This article investigates the role that cross-sectional geometry plays on the magnitude and phase of wave-induced linear loads experienced by an underwater vehicle operating near the surface. A towing tank with wave making capabilities is used to measure the wave-induced forces and moments on various cross-sectional shapes experimentally. These are compared to predictions we made using a framework that can handle non-body-of-revolution geometries. In many cases, our experimental results were the opposite of the theoretical predictions. For instance, according to the predictions, for long wavelengths, the aspect ratio of a rectangle should not influence the linear heave force. However, we found that the heave force was proportional to the planform area of the rectangle. This study is a systematic investigation of the effects that changing the cross-sectional shape from a body-of-revolution to either a square, rectangular, or asymmetric shape, has on the wave-induced loads.