The stricter emission limits for new ship engines and the possible introduction of an energy efficiency criterion for IWT design pose significant challenges for IWT. An individual and holistic view of the interaction of hull, propulsion and steering system – as is common practice for seagoing vessels – does not yet exist in inland navigation. It is expected that with a systematic inclusion of the steering gear and the associated operating conditions, increases in the efficiency of ship operation of up to 20 % can be achieved.

Design strategies from seagoing ships can hardly be applied due to the more complex manoeuvring requirements and the different design of the steering gear. Within this project, a general design guideline for rudder systems of inland waterway vessels shall be developed. The missing systematic data will be determined both by model tests on current rudder types (the last systematic measurements are about 30 years old) and by numerical calculations on a model scale and in full-scale. The evaluation of already running full-scale measurements provides data on the real operating conditions. The general design guide, which will be developed in the project, will lead to a direct benefit for the inland waterway operators. They will be enabled to reliably evaluate and implement optimization potentials for new ship designs and conversions. Rudder manufacturers and shipyards can further develop their products and offer sound advice and services to their customers. The application of complex numerical simulations is of particular interest to engineering offices, as validated methods can be used in the future to investigate further flow-improving measures.

The research project 20545 N is funded by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology on the basis of a resolution of the German Bundestag on the AiF as part of the programme to promote joint industrial research and development (IGF).

Contact:
Dipl.-Ing. Matthias Tenzer
Tel.: +49 203  99369-20