Influence of Propeller and Ship's Rudder on Scouring Action and Erosion on Inland Waterways - Physical Model Tests Determining Propeller-Induced Flow Velocities Using ADV

Ship Operation on Inland Waterways induces dynamic loads on slopes and beds of natural and artificial Waterways, depending on Geometry of the Waterway, bed's armor, Speed and draught of the Inland Vessel. This might endanger stability of bed and bulkheads limiting Artificial Waterways. To determine propeller-induced current velocities, scour and erosion phenomena on Waterways empirical approaches and equations still do not provide satisfying results. Especially the influence of current deflections by the ship's rudder angle is not quantified yet. Therefore, Physical Model Tests were executed with a model of an Inland Vessel in a scale of 1:16 aiming at measurement of propeller-induced current velocities. The Inland Vessel was equipped with a 4-bladed Propeller and an adjustable rudder. The tests were carried out in a fixed bed model. To exclude effects of reverse current velocities below the ship due to ships drive with might reduce the propeller's effects, the ship was fixed to the flume, varying the rotation speed of the propeller from 600-900 rpm and modifying the rudder angle from 0° − 45°.