Characteristics of the NRL Mark 3 Boat-Type Buoy and Determination of Mooring-Line Sizes

摘要

Two 1/5-scale models of buoys designed as housings for sono-radio equipment to be anchored in strong currents and in deep water were tested at the David Taylor Model Basin. The tests were made to determine the characteristics of the buoys under loads such as those imposed by the fluid forces on a mooring line. The load-carrying capacity of each buoy when on the water surface was evaluated from surface towing tests in which observations were made of the drag and general behavior under various loads. To permit the designing of the mooring line for conditions under which the buoy may become submerged owing to fouling of the mooring line or a rough sea, tests were also conducted to determine the characteristics of the buoys when completely submerged. A final series of tests was also made to evaluate the drag coefficients of commercial straight-link chain which was being considered for use as a mooring line in conjunction with wire rope. A graphical method was developed and employed for determining suitable sizes of mooring lines and maximum anchoring currents for each buoy. (Author)