SQUAT Squat may be considered as the apparent increase in draught that results from the reduction in water pressure

acting normal to the hull when the ship is making way. To understand the cause of squat the following needs to be considered. Equation of continuity Applies to a liquid where flow is steady and streamlined. The equation of continuity states that: - if a liquid flows through a pipe of varying cross sectional area the mass of liquid entering the pipe in any given time will equal the mass of liquid leaving the pipe in the same time. In other words: mass flow through the pipe will remain constant since mass can neither be created or destroyed.

Mass flow at any point in the pipe is the product of the liquid density (), the cross sectional area (A) and the liquid velocity (V).
i.e. where: Mass flow = AV Mass flow is expressed in Kg/sec; is expressed in Kg/m3; A is expressed in m2; V is expressed in m/sec.
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Consider the pipe shown:

1 2 3

1A1V1

2A2V2

3A3V3

To satisfy the equation of continuity the value of mass flow at all points must remain constant.
i.e. Mass flow = 1A1V1 = 2A2V2 = 3A3V3

and since the density of the liquid does not change it follows that if cross sectional area decreases then velocity must increase and vice-versa. Bernoullis Theorem This considers the principle of conservation of energy which states that: - when a fluid flows at a steady rate through a pipe its total energy remains constant, since energy cannot be created or destroyed.

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At any point in a pipe the total energy is a given combination of: * * * Potential Energy - Energy due to height or position; Pressure Energy - Energy due to pressure, and; Kinetic Energy - Energy due to movement.

If considering fluid flow in a horizontal pipe, potential energy may be assumed constant and can be ignored. Therefore total energy can be considered to equal the sum of pressure energy and kinetic energy. i.e. Total Energy = Pressure Energy + Kinetic Energy

In considering movement of liquids, it is the mass flow per unit volume which is of interest, so the conservation of energy equation is better stated in terms of pressure. At any point in a pipe, the total pressure is the sum of the static pressure and dynamic pressure, measured in Pascals (N/m2) Static Pressure (PS) + Dynamic Pressure (V2) = Total Pressure (PT) To satisfy Bernoullis theorem total pressure must remain constant at all points along the pipe, such that any rise in dynamic pressure will be accompanied by a reduction in static pressure and vice-versa. Consider the diagram:
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STATIC PRESSURE (acting normal to flow)

DYNAMIC PRESSURE

Consideration of the above diagram shows that for a steady flow of fluid through the restricted section velocity increases as static pressure decreases and vice-versa. Thus, according to Bernoullis theorem, any rise in velocity will result in an increase in dynamic pressure and a reduction in static pressure and vice-versa. It is the level of static pressure which will govern the amount a ship will squat, since it is pressure acting normal to the hull that supports the ship in the water. Consideration of the formula for dynamic pressure: Dynamic Pressure = V2 it can be assumed that squat varies approximately as the square of the speed i.e. squat V2
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Ship moving at slow speed Dynamic pressure low since flow of water along hull slow but static pressure acting normal to hull relatively high.

Ship moving at full speed Dynamic pressure high due to fast flow of water along the hull which causes static pressure acting normal to the hull to be relatively low. Surrounding water is less able to support the ship so the ship will squat, resulting in increased draught.

Static pressure normal to hull reduced

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FACTORS AFFECTING SQUAT IN DEEP WATER The main factors that influence the amount of squat and direction of squat in deep water are: 1. Ship speed Squat will vary approximately with the square of speed (consider the formula for dynamic pressure). 2. Block coefficient Consider two ships each the same length and moving at the same speed through the water.
1

It takes the same amount of time for a water molecule to pass along the length of both ships (1 to 2). But, distance travelled by the molecule is greater for the ship with the higher block coefficient so the flow must be faster along this ship, which results in a lesser static pressure acting normal to the hull. Therefore, the larger the CB; the more the ship will squat.
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3. Ships proportional dimensions In a similar way to CB, the proportion of the ships main dimensions will influence squat such as: length to depth ratio; length to breadth ratio and breadth to depth ratio. 4. LCB position Ships with LCB forward of amidships tend to squat more by the head and those with LCB aft of amidships more by the stern. 5. Still water trim A ship initially on even keel will usually squat more by the head (trim by the head). A ship heavily trimmed by the stern will squat more by the stern (trim further by the stern). It is difficult to generalise about all ships since other factors may be of influence such as appendages like spectacle frames, A-brackets etc. which will create turbulence effects. Other factors might include: 6. Stem/bow type 7. Altering course (which may cause trim to change) 8. Reversing the propeller 9. Turbulence caused by hull roughness 10. List etc.

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INCREASED EFFECTS IN SHALLOW WATER When water depth reduces to about half the draught squat effect increases significantly causing likelihood of bottom damage if speed is not checked. As in the flow of a liquid in a pipe with a constriction, speed of flow between the seabed and the ships hull will increase markedly resulting in reduced pressures acting normal to the hull resulting in increased squat effect.

Reduced static pressure

Additional factors to consider in shallow water include: 1. Blockage factor The effective width of free water in a narrow channel/canal. This causes reduced static pressures at the hull sides in addition to those below the hull causing greatest squat effects. Consider the diagrams:

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Low static pressure will surround the hull completely in this situation.

SLOW DOWN!

Low static pressure will occur at the hull sides, causing squat.

SLOW DOWN!

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2. Effects on stability Under bottom suction caused by reduced static hull pressures can cause increased heel due to wind/turning effects or unexpected heel as shown.
WIND WIND

In this situation the static pressure under the starboard side is decreased but under the port side is increased causing the ship to heel further! Unexpected heel may also occur if shoaling occurs on one side of the ship near the edge of a channel.

If this happens:

SLOW DOWN!
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Check position!
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3. Type of bottom In shallow water squat may be increased when passing over rock or large pebbles. With a soft seabed such as fine sand water flow will extend to within the seabed, causing flow to reduce in speed, thus static pressure may be maintained to some degree. But dont count on it! If in doubt always slow down! 4. Strong tidal currents It is the speed through the water that must be considered. If a ship is tied alongside and a strong current is flowing the same effects will become apparent. This is particularly relevant when conducting draught surveys during which large inaccuracies in draught readings may occur if underkeel clearance is limited. Shallow water will also seriously affect the manoeuvring characteristics of a ship: * When underkeel clearance is very small the directional stability of the ship will be dangerously increased requiring very large and early rudder movements to achieve relatively small alterations of course. * Stopping distances are greatly increased in still water. * Turning circle advance and transfer is increased but may be unnoticed because rate of turn (deg/min) may be unchanged.
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