University of Newcastle Towing Tank
Parent Body: University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Department of Marine Technology, Armstrong Building, Queen Victoria Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU

Principal Functions
Ship model resistance, drag and sea-keeping measurements on marine towed model and static structures.

Subsidiary Functions
Motion, pressure and force measurements on floating or moored structures.

General Details
The tank is suitable for conducting experiments to measure drag and resistance on towed ship models and static marine structures. Force, pressure and motion measurements can be made on floating and moored offshore structures. The tank can accommodate models up to 3m in length and structures up to 1m in diameter. Drag, resistance and motion measurements on towed bodies are made though the dynamometer and associated sensors attaching the model to the towing carriage. Various dynamometers are available, the standard device allows the attached model to be positioned parallel with the towing axis or to be arranged with fixed angles of heel or angles of attack. The associated dynamometer sensors measure the model pitch angle and vertical displacement. The sea-keeping performance of floating structures is measured using a variety of available sensors ranging from accelerometers and displacement transducers to optical coordinate systems. Load cells, force sensors and pressure sensors are also available for appropriate measurements. The control of the carriage may be manual or automatic, the latter by means of an attached computer.

Specification

• Tank Dimensions: length 37m, width 3.7m and depth up to 1.27m
• Carriage on monorail with speeds up to 3m/s
• The wavemaker is a 12 Seasim flap type with rolling seal wave makers, which can be manually or automatically controlled and is capable of generating regular, transient or two dimensional irregular waves. It can produce wave lengths from 0.3m to 5m with wave heights up to 0.15m.
• Wave measurements made using resistance type wave probes. The towing tank has a sloping beach.

Special Features
Measurements are made using a PC based system using a proprietary package incorporating acquisition, processing and analysis facilities. Video recording and digital still photography is available. The facility is supported by the mechanical and electronic technicians of the Department of Marine Technology as required.

Future Plans
It is intended to replace the carriage and the wavemaker in the near future.

Availability
The facility is available to other bodies in both the private and public sector and no restrictions are placed on applications. Advance notice required is required for use. This depends on availability and current experimental programmes. Priority is given to the needs of the undergraduate programme and requests for access are subservient to these needs. 

Charging Basis
Charging rates are subject to individual negotiation. There is a possibility of exchange agreements. The minimum hire period is one day and there is no restriction on the maximum period given the priority of
the academic teaching programme.

Site Access
The site has ready access for vehicles and local accommodation for the user's personnel. 

Contact Information
Dr Martin Downie or Professor Atilla Incecik
University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
Department of Marine Technology
Armstrong Building
Queen Victoria Road
Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE1 7RU
Telephone: 0191 222 6718 Fax: 0191 222 5491
Telex: 53654 UNINEW G
Email: m.j.downie@ncl.ac.uk