HEAVING FORCES AND PITCHING MOMENTS ON A SEMISUBMERGED AND RESTRAINED PROLATE SPHEROID PROCEEDING IN REGULAR HEAD WAVES

This report describes experiments in which heaving forces and pitching moments were measured on a semi-submerged and restrained prolate spheroid which was towed at a constant speed in regular head waves. By measuring the pressures on the wetted surface of the model and integrating these around each section, longitudinal distributions of vertical force were obtained for different wave lengths and speeds of advance. The total force and moment as obtained by integration of pressure over the wetted surface were compared with direct total force and moment measurements. The present work demonstrates the feasibility of investigating local hydrodynamic forces on small three-dimensional bodies by the use of miniature pressure gages. (Author)