ISO 13643-6:2017

Overview - ISO 13643-6:2017 (Model test specials)

ISO 13643-6:2017, part of the ISO 13643 series on manoeuvring of ships, defines symbols and terms and provides guidelines for model-scale tests used to determine the hydrodynamic and aerodynamic forces and moments on surface ships and submarines. The standard covers prescribed-motion tests conducted in towing tanks, circulating water tunnels and wind tunnels, and is intended to be read in conjunction with ISO 13643‑1 (general concepts, quantities and test conditions). This second edition (2017) updates terminology and clarifies test presentation and designation.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope of model tests

  • Planar-motion tests (horizontal, vertical, roll) to evaluate forces/moments as functions of lateral velocity/acceleration and angular rates.
  • Circular-motion tests to determine forces/moments as functions of angular velocity (primarily about z- and y-axes).
  • Oblique towing or flow tests to measure forces/moments versus drift angle, manoeuvring device angle and angles of attack (for submarines).
  • Wind tunnel tests to quantify aerodynamic forces on the above-water portion (and optionally underwater hull).

• Definitions and symbols

  • Standardizes terminology (e.g., planar motion test, circular motion test, oblique towing, xyψ-carriage) and a comprehensive list of test-related physical quantities and non-dimensional hydrodynamic coefficients.

• Test conduct and data handling

  • Guidance on general test conditions, carriage systems (including secondary xyψ-carriage), test descriptions, analysis and presentation of results.
  • Procedures for designation and documentation of each test type and requirements for reporting coefficients, in‑phase/quadature components, and slopes through zero for key responses.

• Analysis focus

  • Emphasis on extracting hydrodynamic coefficients (force, moment and derivative coefficients) suitable for manoeuvring prediction, control-system design and validation.

Practical applications and users

• Who uses ISO 13643-6:2017:

  • Naval architects, hydrodynamicists and ship model laboratories (towing tanks and water tunnels).
  • Wind-tunnel facilities assessing aerodynamic contributions to manoeuvring.
  • Shipbuilders, submarine designers, classification societies and research institutes validating manoeuvring models and CFD.
  • Control-system and autopilot developers who need validated hydrodynamic coefficients for simulation.

• Typical applications:

  • Generating experimental coefficients for manoeuvring simulators and seakeeping models.
  • Validating computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predictions against standard test protocols.
  • Supporting design and certification of rudders, hydroplanes, azimuthing thrusters and other manoeuvring devices.

Related standards

• ISO 13643-1: General concepts, quantities and test conditions (normative reference).
• Other parts of the ISO 13643 series (see ISO website) and ISO/TC 8 technical work on ships and marine technology.

Keywords: ISO 13643-6:2017, manoeuvring of ships, model test, planar motion test, circular motion test, oblique towing test, wind tunnel test, hydrodynamic forces, towing tank, hydrodynamic coefficients, xyψ-carriage.