The influences of forces generated by wind against a ferry type vessel

The advancement of innovative solutions in shipbuilding demands the ongoing enhancement of research infrastructure. Hydro-aerodynamic challenges related to fluid flow around ship hulls can be addressed using numerical and/or experimental methods. However, numerical results must always be validated through experimental model testing in specialized hydro-aerodynamic laboratories. To support such research, a wind tunnel was developed at the Faculty of Naval Architecture, “Dunărea de Jos” University of Galați, enabling the measurement of aerodynamic forces and moments, as well as the distribution of speed and pressure on the hull under wind action. This paper highlights the main types of problems that can be experimentally investigated in the aerodynamic tunnel and describes the specific experimental equipment used.