5/3/2017 Mariner'sDigest:RudderAngleOnboardShipLimitedto35

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Tuesday,21July2015

RudderAngleOnboardShipLimitedto35 Typehere... Search

The maximum angleuptowhich the rudder of a ship can turn is limitedto35 degrees. The
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Before starting the discussion on this topic, would like to tell that many students have got a different perspective to this andcommitmentf
continual
question. Though there is only one reason behind it, and that too there happens to be a technical explanation of it.So let's
advancement.
start.
Viewmycomplete
First we need to understand a few technical terms : profile

1. Angle of attack : It is the angle made by the direction of incoming fluid and the plane of the rudder. See this figure for an
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5/3/2017 Mariner'sDigest:RudderAngleOnboardShipLimitedto35

2. Critical angle of attack : Critical angle of attack is the angle of attack at which the fluid flow across the rudder
SEPERATES. i.e. at critical angle the fluid flow is such that the formation of eddies behind the face of rudder increase to
such an extent that instead of guiding the fluid flow, the rudder tends to stop the fluid flow. See this image for a better
understanding.

The above two terms are important to understand the following concept. Give your time and rethink about angle of attack
and critical angle before moving ahead.

Moving furhter, this critical angle is the core point of this topic. Depending upon the drag, viscosity, blade shape and flow
characteristic of the fluid, the critical angle varies for different rudder and fluid combination.
For marine rudder and water, the critical angle happens to be around 35 . From the going, it is well understood that as the
rudder reaches it's critical angle of 35, then instead of changing direction of the vessel, it will slow down the vessel, which
is undesirable.
At the end of discussion, make a note that critical angle is synonymous to stall angle. Thus if someone says that rudder
reaches stall angle, it means that rudder reaches its critical angle.
Above all this discussed it has to be noted that though steering gear of ship is designed to move the rudder upto 35 degrees,
mechanical stops are provided at 38 degree to provide a fail safe system in case of emergency. Also, to let the rudder angle
indicator move unhindered, the calibration is given upto 40 degrees in the rudder angle indicator on deck.

Hope the explanation would have cleared your doubts.

If left with any doubts, feel free to post your queries in reply section.

PostedbyPrateekBaranwal +4 Recommend this on Google

Labels:rudder,ShipStructure

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3 comments

Add a comment as Reetam Bose

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Prateek Baranwal shared this via Google+ 1 year ago - Shared publicly
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Gaurav Walia 10 months ago - Shared publicly

is one of the reasons but you forgot to mention the gyroscopic effect and its tremendous heeling
It
moment at full ahead.

+1 1 Reply
2

Tony Brown 1 year ago - Shared publicly

now i understand

1 Reply

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