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An alliance to enhance the maritime testing infrastructure in the EU

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Coordinating water tank-testing of maritime structures

Scientists established a Network of Excellence (NoE) to standardise and integrate testing of ships and off-shore structures across European test facilities. The network should increase competitiveness through efficient use of capacity.

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Much as aircraft are tested in wind tunnels before final designs are implemented, ships and off-shore structures are tested in huge tanks of water. Hydrodynamic testing, essentially the investigation of the forces of water on other structures, is an integral part of the maritime industry’s efforts to achieve trustworthy and cost-effective structures. Europe’s marine testing capacity is impressive but not well coordinated, spurring the initiation of the EU-funded ‘Hydro-testing alliance’ (HTA) project. The NoE formed by the HTA project coordinated the definition and standardisation of hydrodynamic testing measurement, observation and analysis methodologies. HTA built a network of 12 research centres and 7 universities to match the research needs of industry with the focus of the scientific community. Technologies included particle image velocimetry (PIV), high speed video, cavitation noise and podded propulsion modelling. The NoE formed by HTA is expected to facilitate more integrated and efficient use of European hydrodynamic testing capacity. In addition, it will help reduce costs associated with testing of ships and off-shore structures. HTA should thus have important impact on the competitiveness of the European maritime industry.

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