Physical model for the emptying and filling system of the third set of Panama locks
Roumieu, P.; Roux, S.; De Mulder, T.; De Regge, J.; Wong, J. (2008). Physical model for the emptying and filling system of the third set of Panama locks, in: The Proceedings of the International Navigation Seminar following PIANC AGA 2008. pp. 531-545 In: (2008). The Proceedings of the International Navigation Seminar following PIANC AGA 2008. China Communications Press[s.l.]. ISBN 978-7-114-07129-4. 715 pp., more |  |
| Available in | Authors | | Document type: Conference paper
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| Keywords | Physical models
ASW, Panama, Panama Canal [Marine Regions]
Marine/Coastal | | Author keywords | Ship locks; Scheepssluizen |
| Authors | | Top | - Roumieu, P.
- Roux, S.
- De Mulder, T., more
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| Abstract | The Panama Canal Authority (ACP) extension plan includes the construction of a third lane with new locks at both sides of the Canal. The design ship is a so-called Post- Panamax 12 000 TEU container carrier.
In order to maximize the transit throughput of the new locks, and at the same time, to limit hawser forces under an acceptable maximum threshold, many numerical studies and two physical model studies have been carried out. In a first phase, the filling and emptying (F/E) system of the locks has been preoptimized with numerical models (1D, 2D and 3D models). Then, to complete the design, a study have been carried out on a 1/30 physical scale model at Compagnie Nationale du Rhône Hydraulic Laboratory, Lyon, France, operating as member of the consortium CPP.
The F/E system is a “double culverts” sidewall and ports system composed of: a main culvert connected by a central flow divider to two secondary culverts in middle section of the lock chamber; each secondary culvert is equipped with 10 ports which feed the lock on 80% of its length. In order to limit water consumption, each lock includes 3 Water Saving Basins (WSB).
The scale model represents two locks chambers, 3 WSB associated with the lower chamber, a fore and a tail bay. The Post-Panamax container ship vessel is also modelled.
A special emphasis is put on the hawser forces measurements and in the definition of a threshold value for them as no standard values presently exists for Post-Panamax locks given such operating conditions (use of water saving basins or not, hydraulic heads ranging from 3.5 m to 20 m).
The experimental setup and the scenarios of tests are described and an overview of the main results (F/E times, times series of water levels with and without ship in the lock chamber, time series of hydraulic efforts on the ship hull) are given.
The results of this physical model are an input for the design-build tender for the construction of the third set of locks, presently in progress. |
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