Challenges and procedures for experiments with steady and unsteady model velocities in a water towing tank

Challenges for steady and unsteady model motion in a large water towing tank and procedures to overcome them are the focus of the presented work. Some challenges are attributed to experiments conducted in water, whereas others are uniquely ascribed to a towing tank facility. Data convergence and outlier detection are studied based on the phase averaged pressure in order to ensure proper data quality. Pressure measurements are performed with non-surface mounted sensors. Therefore, inertia effects are detrimental when the attached tubing is not fully de-aired. A procedure for de-airing the pressure sensor cavity and its tubing is described. An iterative approach is developed that compensates for nonlinear distortion of the model’s velocity profile. Further, vibration effects are examined by distinguishing mechanical and flow-induced frequencies that scale with the instantaneous model velocity. Sloshing waves are excited, which are a function of the water basin size. The first sloshing mode defines the required sensor offset time in between test cases when prevailing sloshing waves have not fully decayed. This appropriate selection of sensor offset time reduces data scatter and enables a reasonable waiting time in between test cases. A skim plate installed just below the water surface offers a potential solution to alleviate surface wave effects over the model.