Experimental investigations in a laboratory tank were conducted on the property of the submerged shape change and the buoyancy of a Soft-Shell-Float with an open bottom. The characteristic shape change and buoyancy are important factors which affect the stability of constant depth maintenance and control of rise and fall motion of the float.
Experimental results using scale models have shown that there are two different relationships between the buoyancy and the inner water volume in all of the models, which are sepwrated by around 45% of non-dimensional buoyancy. This difference in the relationship between the buoyancy and the inner water volume can be considered due to the characteristic shape change of the float, which depends on the location of the hanging rope. These results will provide useful information on the optimization of future design of a Soft-Shell-Float with an open bottom.
