The SSPA Series (Williams, 1969)

This series is widely used in Sweden and is typical of the modem single screw fast

cargo ship. It has been published as a family of resistance curves and as

regression equations, which, from a programming point of view, are ideal.

3.2.8.1 Program development

The program developed (SSPARP.PAS) uses the regressIOn equations to

calculate the total resistance coefficient for the ship at Froude numbers 0,18 to

0,30 in steps of 0, 1. A Theilheimer interpolating spline is applied to this data to

obtainresults at the required speeds.

Beyond the bounds of the series, results are obtained by linear extrapolation using

the slope of the total resistance coefficient curve between Fn 0,18 and 0,19 and

Fn 0,29 and 0,30 respectively. A maximum often speeds are catered for.

Checks are also programmed to determine violations of the range of application

of the method. Violations of this nature do not cause the program to abort, but

placeswarnings in the output file.

Propulsion coefficients are calculated using the equations supplied by Shaber

Sabit.

3.2.8.2 Program Validation.

It became evident during validation of this program that certain of the regression

coefficients were suspect, probably due to typographical errors in the publication.

Typically a negative value of residuary resistance coefficient at a Froude number

of 0,21 was obtained for a variety of ships. Using regression analysis and

adopting an approach similar to that used by Shaber Sabit, new coefficients for

Froude number 0,21 were generated. These new coefficients appear to provide

reasonable correlation with the published resistance curves ( ~ = o , 9 7 8 8 7 ) . It is difficult to

determine what other errors exist as no example is provided against

whichthe program could be checked against. The program was validated against

the resistance curves of a SSPA Cargo Liner having dimensions as indicated in

Table 3.16 (Williams, 1969).

Within the bounds of the theory, an acceptable level of correlation was obtained

between the program results and the example with a maximum overestimation of

4,12% occurring at 0,22Fn. The resistance curves of the series do not extend

beyond a Froude number of about 0,26 at which point the program starts

underestimating resistance (see Table 3.17)

3.2.8.3 ProgramEvaluation.

None of the models truly fitted into the range of application of the SSPA method,

nevertheless, they were examined to determine the suitability of the program for

general purpose resistance prediction.

Twin Screw Corvette. The vessel has a beam-draught ratio> 3,0; a length-

displacement ratio> 6,89 and block coefficient < 0,525. These parameters all lie

outside the valid range of application of the method. The program indicates these

irregularities and cautions against the use of the results. Examination of the

results reveal an overestimation of about 2% at 18 knots rising rapidly to about

60% at 32 knots and decreasing to about 30% at 10 knots. The method is

considered unsuitable for predicting the effective power of the Corvette.

Single Screw Medium Speed Cargo Ship. The vessel has a beam-draught of
3,25 which is slightly above the method's limit of 3,0. Initial examination of the

results indicate the correct trend, however, closer examination reveals relatively

high underprediction at the lower end of the speed range and an excessively high

overprediction at the upper end of the speed range (see Table 3.18). This high

degree of inaccuracy is attributed to using the method beyond its valid range.

The method is considered unsuitable for predicting the effective power of the

Cargo Ship.

Single Screw Stern Trawler. The vessel has a length-displacement ratio

< 5,06 and block coefficient < 0,525. Both these parameters lie outside the valid

94

range of application of the method. The program indicates these irregularities

and cautions against the use of the results. Results obtained underestimate the

effective power by an average of about 8,4% (see Table 3.19) The results

obtained are considered reasonably good, however, a high degree of risk is

. involved should the method be used to predict the resistance of similar vessels

having hull forms which violate the limits of the regression equations

American Frigate. The vessel has a beam-draught ratio> 3.0, a length-

displacement ratio> 6.89 and block coefficient < 0,525. These parameters all lie
outside the valid range of application of the method. The program indicates these

irregularities and cautions against the use of the results. Results obtained

underestinIate the effective power by between 43-84%. The method is not

considered suitable for predicting the effective power of the Frigate