The Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NAME) at BUET collaborated closely with Changwon National University (CWNU) to successfully initiate operations at the newly established ship model testing center. This initiative showcased BUET’s cutting-edge facility, which continues to drive forward naval architecture and marine engineering research in Bangladesh. Held between December 21 and December 26, this partnership not only strengthened ties between the two institutions but also laid the groundwork for innovative advancements in marine engineering research and development at BUET.

The construction of Korean Container Ship (KCS) model served as the basis of the conducted experimental investigations and is widely acknowledged as a standard in research in marine hydrodynamics. This collaborative six-day experimental campaign brought forth working teams from NAME, BUET and CWNU to strive towards a common goal which was education open innovation in the field of marine engineering technology transfer and competitiveness improvement.

The primary focus was the seakeeping and maneuvering characteristics of the KCS model, with scaled-down versions used for controlled testing. The experiments included seakeeping tests conducted in both regular and irregular wave conditions. The pre-test activities involved thorough calibrations, such as wave probe calibration and heave-pitch measurement setup, ensuring accurate and reliable data collection. The team meticulously adjusted the ballast of the ship model to achieve the desired draft, following with inertia swing tests to validate the model's mass properties.

During the tests, seven regular wave scenarios and three irregular wave conditions were analyzed to study the ship’s responses. Key measurements included heave and pitch, which provided insight into the ship’s behavior in different sea states. The experiments faced challenges such as wave reflections and long settling times but concluded with meaningful results that aligned with international standards. The Planar Motion Mechanism (PMM) tests, which included static drift, pure sway, and pure yaw scenarios, aimed to evaluate the maneuvering performance of the KCS model. These tests were conducted using calibrated load cells to measure forces and moments acting on the ship model. Despite encountering technical issues with some load cells, the team successfully recorded data comparable to established benchmarks.

The advanced wave-making capabilities of BUET’s towing tank were pivotal in simulating a diverse range of sea conditions, allowing researchers to comprehensively study the KCS model’s hydrodynamic responses. Through these experiments, the BUET team gained invaluable insights into the operational intricacies of the towing tank. Simultaneously, they actively assisted the research team, working in parallel to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the experiments.

The joint efforts of BUET and CWNU have set a strong foundation for future collaborations in marine research. This project not only showcased BUET’s capabilities in experimental marine hydrodynamics but also strengthened its ties with global research institutions. The success of this campaign serves as an inspiration for fostering innovation and excellence in the field of naval architecture and marine engineering.