froudes number

The dimensionless quantity U(gL)−½, where U is a characteristic velocity of flow, g is the

acceleration of gravity, and L is a characteristic length. The Froude number can be
interpreted as the ratio of the inertial to gravity forces in the flow. This ratio may also be
interpreted physically as the ratio between the mean flow velocity and the speed of an
elementary gravity (surface or disturbance) wave traveling over the water surface.

When the Froude number is equal to one, the speed of the surface wave and that of the
flow is the same. The flow is in the critical state. When the Froude number is less than
one, the flow velocity is smaller than the speed of a disturbance wave traveling on the
surface. Flow is considered to be subcritical (tranquil flow). Gravitational forces are
dominant. The surface wave will propagate upstream and, therefore, flow profiles are
calculated in the upstream direction. When the Froude number is greater than one, the
flow is supercritical (rapid flow) and inertial forces are dominant. The surface wave will
not propagate upstream, and flow profiles are calculated in the downstream direction.

The Froude number is useful in calculations of hydraulic jump, design of hydraulic

structures, and ship design, where forces due to gravity and inertial forces are governing.
In these cases, geometric similitude and the same value of the Froude number in model
and prototype produce a good approximation to dynamic similitude.

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/froude-number#ixzz1MT3VWaKD

Ship Resistance
[edit] Introduction

A ship differs from any other large engineering structure in that – in addition to its other
functions –it must be designed to move efficiently through water with a minimum of
external force.

It is found that the resistance, depends on the velocity of the ship. Therefore, resistance is
always specified at a particular velocity. Furthermore, intuitively we understand that
resistance will depend on the condition of the sea. We cannot expect that resistance in a
rough sea is the same as in a calm sea. Therefore, operating conditions must also be
specified. Therefore, Ship resistance is defined as the force required to tow the ship in
calm water at a constant velocity.

Why is knowing resistance of a ship so important? The answer comes from knowing that
the ship is usually a part of a larger transportation system. For the overall transportation
system to be efficient, it is required that ships operate at a specified "optimum speed".
This speed is usually communicated to the naval architect, who must design the ship, so
that this speed is attained. One way to ensure this is to put a very powerful engine in the
ship, so for all possible values of resistance, the ship will be able to run at the optimum
speed.

This solution is clearly not the best. Installing an engine that is more powerful than
needed, results in higher construction costs, higher operating costs, and higher
maintenance costs. The owner will therefore not accept such a design. If we want to
minimize costs, but still attain the desired speed, we must know what resistance to expect
at the desired speed. We can then use the formula for calculating power, to
calculate the power of engine required.

Since resistance of a ship is not constant, conditions must be specified. There are usually
two types of conditions. Service condition refers to the resistance while the ship operates
under real conditions, where there are currents, waves, wind etc. The effect of these
factors is not very easy to measure or predict, because these conditions are always
changing.

Another condition defined is the trial condition. This is conducted in relatively calm
water. This is the time when the ship is put to trial to see if the naval architect or ship
builder has met all the obligations as specified in the contract with the ship owner. One of
these is also to ensure that the ship is able to attain the optimum speed.

Given that it is important for the naval architect to know how much resistance will have
to be overcome before the ship is made, some way to get this figure must be devised. In
order to do that, we must understand what are the reasons behind this resistance. We
therefore study the components of resistance.

[edit] Components of Resistance

A ship moves on the surface of water. Water is normally taken to be an incompressible

fluid, with low viscosity. However, in order to study the components of resistance, let us
begin by assuming that the ship is submerged in an ideal fluid. We then see what changes
if the fluid is now viscous and finally look at what happens if we bring the ship to the
surface.

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Ship_Resistance#Introduction

A vessel nowadays is a common mode of trading

goods from one place to another.
As the vessel sail on the water, it encounters some factors which causes delay in transporting
goods if not known or measured correctly. One of those external force is the ships resistance.
It is the force needed to tow the vessel in calm
water at a constant velocity.