A Review of Added Mass and Fluid Inertial Forces

Abstract

This report reviews the existing state of knowledge concerning the evaluation of the forces imposed on a body in a fluid due to acceleration of either the body or the fluid. It concentrates on those fluid inertial forces due to acceleration rather than on the drag/lift forces due to steady motion. The first part of the report presents a survey of the analytical background including the definition of added mass, the structure of the added mass matrix and other effects such as the influence of viscosity, fluid compressibility and the proximity of solid and free surface boundaries. Then the existing data base from experiments and potential flow calculations is reviewed. Approximate empirical methods for bodies of complex geometry are explored in a preliminary way. The possible dramatic effects of the proximity of the ocean bottom are further highlighted. The confused state of affairs regarding the possibly major effects of viscosity in certain regimes of frequency and Reynolds number is discussed. Finally a number of recommendations stemming from ocean engineering problems are put forward.

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