ABSTRACT
The present work is concerned with an experimental study of the hydrodynamic
damping provided by using vertical baffles in partially filled rectangular tanks. The
damping ratio in a rectangular tank is evaluated for different vertical baffle
dimensions, shapes, numbers and arrangements. A test rig for a carrying rectangular
tank system is designed and constructed to measure the transient responses in time
domain. The baffles are fitted to attenuate the lateral motion of the liquid slosh. Lower
and upper mounted vertical baffles of different heights and numbers are tested.
Lower mounted vertical baffles with holes of different sizes and numbers are
considered. Finally, the effect of a combination between upper, lower and holed
vertical baffles on the damping is investigated. The results show that the size and
location of the vertical baffles significantly influence the hydrodynamic damping. In
general, the damping ratio increases as the lower mounted baffle is close to the liquid
free surface and the center of the tank. Increasing the baffle numbers increases the
damping ratio. The upper mounted vertical baffles are more suitable for chargeable
tank. The twin side upper mounted baffles and centre holed Lower mounted baffle
arrangements give a maximum damping ratio.