Services

Vienna Model Basin Ltd offers a complete range of facilities for its service to the industry and research institutions. Our services incorporate a unique combination of model testing, simulation and full-scale measurements.

Consulting

Due to our long lasting expertise in the fields of hydrostatics and hydrodynamics for almost 100 years Vienna Model Basin Ltd provides advice in the optimisation of the design, performance and safety of any kind of vessel. For a successful achievement of objectives various tools are used depending on the client’s requirements.

Numerical Simulation

Numerical methods for the computation of fluid flow have reached a stage where they can be successfully applied to a wide range of fluid flow problems arising in the marine industry and related fields. CFD methods provide an excellent means to reduce time consumption at an early design stage and thus shorten overall time spent on a new design. Furthermore, CFD methods for the first time ever offer the possibility to include hydrodynamic analysis in a complex computer aided design environment comprising different kinds of CAX technologies.

Powering and Performance

Ship performance prediction is one of the standard procedures at Vienna Model Basin Ltd. High measuring accuracy and reproducibility of the measured data and many years of experience in the fields of hydrodynamic tests are the basic of high degree accuracy by the correlation of test results to full-scale measurements. Besides conventional routine tests VMB carries out a lot of additional investigations, like optimization of hull form, determination of manoeuvring and seakeeping characteristics including slamming damage, and arrangements of energy saving devices, tunnels and nozzles. Towing tests with fishing gear, life-saving appliances and sport boats are also a part of VMB´s offer.

Seakeeping

Scale model tests in both regular and irregular waves are carried out in Vienna Model Basin's towing tank (head and following sea). In the towing tank seakeeping tests (using free running and captured models) can be carried out in any wave direction. In addition to studies of ship motions, accelerations, and wave added resistance, investigations of slamming pressure, the presence of water on deck, and broaching can be performed. Predictions of full-scale ship motions can be based on scale model test results only, or carried out in combination with simulations. Studies of dynamically controlled motion damping appendages can be carried out using computer simulations or model tests.

Manoeuvring

Vienna Model Basin Ltd performs all kinds of manoeuvring studies including those required for checking compliance with IMO's regulations. Examples of such tests are turning, zigzag, crash stop, and reversed spiral tests. They can be carried out with a free sailing model in the towing tank, in deep as well as shallow water. Vienna Model Basin Ltd can give advice and test the effect of changing the rudder design, rudder type, and hull form in order to improve manoeuvring performance and course stability. This can be done for any kind of vessel including the water-jet and pod propelled types.

Ship Stability

Stability against capsizing in heavy seas is one of the most fundamental requirements considered by naval architects when designing a ship. The purpose of studying capsizing is to establish an understanding of ship behaviour in extreme seas and to relate this to the geometric and operational characteristics of the ship to achieve cost effective and safe operation. In an industry with progressively diminishing returns and an ever increasing emphasis on safety this objective is becoming ever more important. As a consequence, the research effort in this field over the last 15 years has expanded considerably, as indicated by the plethora of publications available in the literature and the large number of specialist international conferences, symposia and workshops which have been held. Therefore Vienna Model Basin Ltd carries out stability experiments of intact and damaged ships for research, validation of numerical codes and administrative authorities.

Wind

The wind tunnel is used for different kind of aerodynamic achievements which deal with the behaviour of ships above the waterline. In most cases this also affects the ship's hydrostatic and hydrodynamic characteristics. Therefore the detailed superstructure of ships is built in model scale.

Cavitation

The cavitation phenomena are the vaporization of the water due to a decrease of the local pressure. Cavitation contributes to noise, energy losses, destruction of surfaces (erosion), unsteady flows and vibrations - which adversely affect the performance of ships, underwater vehicles, hydraulic pumps and turbines. Our services span from performing detailed investigations for ship yards, ships owners and propeller manufacturers, answering questions which need a high content of research and development work. Our activities cover a wide range of services related to marine propulsors. Most important is the role of the propulsor - hull-appendages interaction. The activities of the department include propulsor design and analysis, cavitation predictions and its effects on the full scale ship behaviour in terms of noise and vibrations, extensive model testing and long term research work.

Sea Trial

Stability against capsizing in heavy seas is one of the most fundamental requirements considered by naval architects when designing a ship. The purpose of studying capsizing is to establish an understanding of ship behaviour in extreme seas and to relate this to the geometric and operational characteristics of the ship to achieve cost effective and safe operation. In an industry with progressively diminishing returns and an ever increasing emphasis on safety this objective is becoming ever more important. As a consequence, the research effort in this field over the last 15 years has expanded considerably, as indicated by the plethora of publications available in the literature and the large number of specialist international conferences, symposia and workshops which have been held. Therefore Vienna Model Basin Ltd carries out stability experiments of intact and damaged ships for research, validation of numerical codes and administrative authorities.