Methodological Proposal for the Dynamic Design of Ship Scale Models for Pilot Training in Confined Waters

The training of pilots in the Panama Canal relies on several tools and methodologies, one of which is the use of ship scale models, such as those used at the Panama Canal Authority Training Center, where Froude similarity ensures the hydrodynamic validity of maneuvers. These physical models are derived from the geometry of real vessels and adjusted experimentally through the distribution of ballast until the target draft, displacement, and inertia properties are achieved. This process, while robust, is largely iterative and depends on successive adjustments carried out during the construction and testing phases. In parallel, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are increasingly applied to investigate maneuvering performance and flow interactions in confined waters, offering highly detailed information but at the cost of significant computational resources and time. Together, these approaches constitute the current reference framework for the design and validation of ship behavior in restricted channels.

This work proposes an alternative methodology intended to support the dynamic design of ship scale models for pilot training. The approach is based on potential flow theory combined with Schwarz–Christoffel conformal transformations, enabling the analytical prescription of the dynamic conditions (drafts, displacement, and inertia properties) that must be satisfied for scale models to reproduce the maneuvering response of full-scale vessels.

The methodology aims to reduce the reliance on purely experimental adjustments, support the early stages of design, and provide an approach that complements both experimental and numerical methods. This contribution is limited to the formulation and scope of the methodology, which may serve as a foundation for subsequent validation through experiments and high-fidelity simulations.