River towboat tunnel stern

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Latorre, R.

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

Abstract: Growth in inland waterway barge transport has resulted in a steady increase in towboat propulsive power. Use of ducted propellers, multiple screw installations and tunnel sterns has enabled this power increase. This paper concerns the trends in comtemporary, high-powered towboat tunnel stern design. Tunnel stern designs from over 60 towboats are used to develop empirical formulas characterizing the stern tunnel design. Tunnel flow angles Θ1 and Θ2 are then introduced for use in avoiding vibration problems from poor tunnel flow conditions.

DOI: 10.3233/ISP-1982-2933801

Journal: International Shipbuilding Progress, vol. 29, no. 338, pp. 252-259, 1982