Flow visualization of the airwake of an oscillating generic ship model

Abstract

An experimental flow visualization study was done on an oscillating generic ship model in the Low Speed Wind Tunnel Facility at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. The purpose was to visually analyze the flowlield around the model while simulating ship motion in rough seas, with a correspondingly modelled open-ocean atmospheric boundary layer. The two flow visualization techniques utilized were neutral density helium bubbles and a liquid aerosol, each technique providing varying degrees of on-body and off-body analysis. Limited success was achieved with the aerosol, but the helium bubbles produced excellent photographic results and an accurate visualization oi~ the oscillating model's flow field was achieved.