Theoretical and Experimental Measurements of Bollard Pull with Emphasis on Propeller Dimensions

Abstract

The Bollard Pull (BP) is very important for safe operation of the tugboats. The propeller types and dimension has a significant influence on the measured BP. In this paper the BP is calculated for ideal propellers and compared with the measured using a test rig with motor driven of propulsion system, the exerted thrust was measured for different propellers of different diameters and different blade area ratios (BAR). Experimental results are provided shows the effect of the rpm, the propeller diameter and BAR on the measured thrust.