Waves and Ship Wave Patterns

• Published in: Fundamentals of Ship Hydrodynamics p. 1
• Main Author: Birk Lothar
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons 2019; John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
• Subjects: group velocity; Marine Engineering & Naval Architecture; phase velocity; ship wave patterns; Ships & Vessels; wave dispersion; wave height; wave length; wave period
• ISBN: 1118855485; 9781118855485
• DOI: 10.1002/9781119191575.ch19

Ships generate a very distinctive wave pattern, also known as the Kelvin wave pattern in honor of William Thomson's efforts in developing a suitable theory. This chapter discusses basic properties of waves and the Kelvin wave pattern utilizing results of linear wave theory. It describes basic wave descriptors like wave height, wave length, and wave period. The chapter also discusses the phenomenon of wave dispersion and distinguishes phase velocity and group velocity. It shows the simulation of the wave pattern behind a ship hull. The specific shape of the vessel influences the height of the waves and the details of the wave pattern. The basic pattern shape, however, does not change as long as the vessel is sailing on deep water and is carried by its buoyancy. The nature of the wave pattern changes if the vessel maneuvers from displacement to planing mode.