Resistance and influencing

parameters.
• Components of resistance.
• A ship’s calm water resistance is particularly
influenced by its speed, displacement, and hull
form. The total resistance RT consists of many
source-resistances R, which can be divided into
three main groups, viz.:
• 1) Frictional resistance, RF
• 2) Residual resistance, RR
• 3) Air resistance, RA
• The influence of frictional resistance depends on the
wetted surface of the hull, whereas the magnitude of
residual resistance describes the energy lost by the ship
setting up waves, eddies and by the viscous pressure
resistance, which all depend on the hull lines.
• For slow moving ships such as tankers and bulkers, the
frictional resistance is often of the greatest influence
(70-90%) & for fast going ships, such as panamax
container carriers, the frictional resistance may account
for as little as half of the combined resistance.
• Air resistance normally represents about 2%
of the total resistance, however, with a
significant increase up to approx. 10% for
ships with large superstructures such as
container ships with containers stacked on
deck. If wind resistance is considered, the
figures may increase..
• Frictional resistance, RF .
• The frictional resistance RF accounts for two effects:
Firstly the friction of a flat plate of the same length
as the hull and an area equivalent to the hull’s
wetted surface, AS.
• Secondly the frictional resistance caused by the
curvature of the ship’s hull compared to a flat plate.
The magnitude of the frictional resistance increases
with the fouling of the hull, i.e. by the growth of
algae, sea grass and barnacles..
• Residual resistance, RR.
• Residual resistance RR comprises wave making
resistance and viscous pressure resistance. Sometimes
the additional frictional resistance due to the curvature
of the ship’s hull are also included in the residual
resistance.
• Wave making resistance refers to the energy lost by
the setting up waves during the ship’s propulsion
through water, and will typically, depending on the ship
speed, form the greater part of the residual resistance.
• Air resistance, RA.
• In calm weather, air resistance is, in principle,
proportional to the square of the ship’s speed,
and the cross-sectional area of the ship above
the waterline. It is important to distinguish air
resistance from wind resistance, air resistance
only accounts for the resistance from moving
the ship through the air with no wind.