Correlation Study on Course Keeping Stability of Barges according to Variations in Dimensions and Hull Coefficient

Recently, a ship-shaped barge has been developed to improve the resistance performance, as well as course-keeping capability. However, the stern of the barge is still similar to a box shape, and the vortex generated at the side of the barge creates drag and yaw instability. In order to solve this problem, stern skegs are normally used. The present paper deals with the correlation between the size of the stern skegs and the barge dimensions and hull coefficient. A stern skeg was designed to prevent yaw instability and minimize any additional resistance. The resistance test and course keeping test were performed in the towing tank at Pusan National University. To determine the correlation parameters between the designed stern skeg size and barge dimensions, a parametric study was also performed. Based on the experimental data from five barges, the optimum skeg dimensions were successfully derived. It is expected that the validation of the present study will be carried out by further experiments and computational comparisons in the near future.