Influence of starting acceleration and towrope length on towed barge trajectory

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Latorre, R. | Bernitsas, M.M.

Affiliations: Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, University of Michigan, U.S.A.

Abstract: In order to study the influence of starting acceleration and towrope length on towed barge trajectory a derivation of the towing equations of motion including surge is presented. Using non-dimensional equations, simulations were performed to investigate the effect of starting acceleration and towrope length on the towed barge course trajectory. The starting acceleration was shown to create large oscillations in the barge trajectory and reduce the lateral offset. The effect of shorter towrope lengths is also to reduce the lateral offset.

DOI: 10.3233/ISP-1981-2832501

Journal: International Shipbuilding Progress, vol. 28, no. 325, pp. 200-206, 1981