HULL SHAPE RESISTANCE

INTRODUCTION

The shape of the hull is entirely dependent upon the needs of the design. Shapes range from a
nearly perfect box in the case of scow barges, to a needle-sharp surface of revolution in the
case of a racing multihull sailboat. The shape is chosen to strike a balance between cost,
hydrostatic considerations, hydrodynamics and special considerations for the ship's role, such
as the rounded bow of an icebreaker or the flat bottom of a landing craft.

Hull come in many varieties and can have composite shape, but are grouped primarily as
follows:

a) Chined and Hard – chined.

 Examples are the flat – bottom (chined), v – bottom and multi – bottom hull (hard
chined).
b) Moulded, round bilged or soft – chined.
 Examples are the round bilge, semi – round bilge and s – bottom hull.

Example of hull shape

HULL SHAPE RESISTANCE

As the water passes, friction slows the water molecules next to the hull, creating a layer of
water that is carried along with the hull. This layer, called the boundary layer, is initially quite
thin and the flow within it is laminar. As it progresses along the surface, variable pressures
cause turbulence. The layer gradually increases in thickness: near the stern, it breaks away into
eddies. It is within this layer that friction is generated between the water molecules and not as
might be supposed, between the water and the surface. The major factors affecting the frictional
coefficient are the smoothness of the hull, velocity and length of the hull.

EXAMPLE OF HULL SHAPE RESISTANCE