Relationship of Underkeel Clearance and Vessel Speed to Grounding

摘要

The sinkage, trim, and underkeel clearance of the lead barges in a 3 x 3 barge train were measured. The barges represented typical Mississippi River barges. The tests were conducted in response to a USCG request to investigate groundings due to channel depth decreases. The water depth varied from 2.6 to 1.05 times the barges' draft. There were two bottom contours: one with constant depth, and one with an underwater obstacle in the form of a step. The speed of the barge train was varied from 2 kts to 8 kts, full scale. (Author)