The Effect of Propeller Scaling Methodology on the Performance Prediction

In common model testing practise, the measured values of the self propulsion test are split into the characteristics of the hull, the propeller and into the interaction factors. These coefficients are scaled separately to the respective full scale values and subsequently reassembled to give the power prediction. The accuracy of this power prediction depends inter alia on the accuracy of the measured values and the scaling procedure. An inherent problem of this approach is that it is virtually impossible to verify each single step, because of the complex nature of the underlying problem. In recent years the scaling of the open-water characteristics of propeller model tests attracted a renewed interest, fuelled by competitive tests, which became the norm due to requests of the customer. This paper shows the influence of different scaling procedures on the predicted power. The prediction is compared to the measured trials data and the quality of the prediction is judged. The procedures examined are the standard ITTC 1978 procedure plus derivatives of it, the Meyne method, the strip method developed by the Hamburgische Schiffbau-Versuchsanstalt (HSVA) and the beta-method by Helma.