The document discusses navigating ships through muddy waters and defining the "nautical bottom". It explores using rheological properties of mud as a criterion for the nautical bottom, as mud is a non-Newtonian fluid whose properties impact ship controllability. Useful configurations for further research include studying forces on structures in mud layers and ship manoeuvring above mud with varying properties to better link mud characteristics to ship behavior and operational limits. A multidisciplinary approach is needed combining rheology, CFD, and ship modelling.

1. Navigating through mud: beyond physical modelling Marc Vantorre Maritime Technology Division, Ghent University Knowledge Centre ‘Manoeuvring in Shallow and Confined Water (Flanders Hydaulics Reseach, Antwerp) HSB Workshop, Antwerp, 8 December 2010

3. Definition of nautical bottom Mud and ship behaviour Present procedures Development of rheological criterion Useful configurations

4. Definition of nautical bottom Mud and ship behaviour Present procedures Development of rheological criterion Useful configurations

8. Definition of nautical bottom Mud and ship behaviour Present procedures Development of rheological criterion Useful configurations

10. Mud and ship behaviour -12% -7% +4% +10% Layer thickness: 3.0 m Density: 1100 kg/m³ Ship’s speed: 5 knots UKC to interface:

11. Mud and ship behaviour -12% -7% +4% +10% Layer thickness: 3.0 m Density: 1100 kg/m³ Ship’s speed: 10 knots UKC to interface:

12. Onderzoek nautische bodem in WL

14. Definition of nautical bottom Mud and ship behaviour Present procedures Development of rheological criterion Useful configurations

24. Definition of nautical bottom Mud and ship behaviour Present procedures Development of rheological criterion Useful configurations

27. Captive model tests  Mathematical manoeuvring simulation model

31. Layer thickness UKC relative to solid bottom UKC relative to mud-water interface

32. Test section (44 m) mud reservoir water reservoir EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM

33. Mathematical manoeuvring simulation models  Real-time simulations

34. under keel clearance to water-mud interface density (t/m³) extra tug assistance OVERALL Wind E, 6 Bf

36. Definition of nautical bottom Mud and ship behaviour Present procedures Development of rheological criterion Useful configurations

47. Definition of nautical bottom Mud and ship behaviour Present procedures Development of rheological criterion Useful configurations

57. Navigating through mud: beyond physical modelling Marc Vantorre Maritime Technology Division, Ghent University Knowledge Centre ‘Manoeuvring in Shallow and Confined Water (Flanders Hydaulics Reseach, Antwerp) HSB Workshop, Antwerp, 8 December 2010