Experimental investigation on the effect of biomimetic tubercles on the hydrodynamics of a flat plate

A means of reducing the hydrodynamic resistance of ships would dramatically reduce their fuel consumption, leading to reduced carbon emissions worldwide. The ITTC recommends researchers to develop new formulae or methods, using experimental data, for the prediction of the effects of the surface on ship resistance. This research was carried out towards this perspective and presents the results obtained during the tests conducted at the towing tank facilities of the University of Strathclyde. The aim of this paper was to answer the question, "could the biomimetic tubercles improve the hydrodynamic efficiency of a flat plate?". Conveniently prepared flat plates were towed at a range of speed up to 4.5 m/s, parallel to the water flow. The experimental investigation on the effect of biomimetic tubercles on the performance of the flat plate is based on the use of 3-D printed pieces modelled as the tubercles which appears on the head of humpback whales. The tubercles were positioned on the plate in different configurations and it was found that, in the range of speed tested, their application in rows, upstream of the flat plate, gives the maximum drag and total resistance coefficient reductions of -1.7% and -1.3%, respectively. Keywords: biomimetic tubercles, towing tank, flat plate, drag, resistance coefficients.