Water Driven Propellor

hwall95

Hey everyone,
For my engineering project Im designing a Flood Resistant Terminal and just wondering if you guys reckon it would be possible to create a propellor that creates thrust to minimise the force exerted on the pontoon by the water. The only way I could think to be able to create it would be channel the water to create a rotational force which is more likely to cause more trouble then it's worth. However if anyone has and thoughts on the matter it'd be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Harry

A.T.

Quote by hwall95

minimise the force exerted on the pontoon by the water.

What do you mean? Horizontal forces due to waves?

hwall95

Well during a flood event the river in which the pontoon is being designed for, reches velocities between 2.5-3.5 m/s, so if horizontal is parallel to the riverbank then yes but not really waves, more the water body itself travelling down the river

Travis_King

Forces: equal and opposite.

If you don't want the water to exert a force on your pontoon, then you've got to let it flow with the current. Unless you meant that you would build a free standing struction apart from the pontoon which would help deflect or redirect or whatever some of the water...

hwall95

Okay sorry I didn't explain the no force part well, when the pontoon is getting pushed by the floodwaters, tremendous pressure is forced against its pilings which stop any horizontal motion, however if you were to put a motor on the back it could counter some of that force to release stress fractures that may occur over time. Therefore my question was about the feasibility of design a propellor that is rotated by the water to create a thrust that lessens the force acting upon the pilings. The same way if you back of a small fan in will start turning...

johnbbahm

I am going to say there is no free lunch, any additional drag is additional drag.
A breakwater would move the force of the water elsewhere, and maybe set up
some eddies.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puvNOk3gjt...0/IMG_1637.JPG
Protecting something from the energy in flood waters goes way back.

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hwall95	Well during a flood event the river in which the pontoon is being designed for, reches velocities between 2.5-3.5 m/s, so if horizontal is parallel to the riverbank then yes but not really waves, more the water body itself travelling down the river

Travis_King	Water Driven Propellor Forces: equal and opposite. If you don't want the water to exert a force on your pontoon, then you've got to let it flow with the current. Unless you meant that you would build a free standing struction apart from the pontoon which would help deflect or redirect or whatever some of the water...

johnbbahm	I am going to say there is no free lunch, any additional drag is additional drag. A breakwater would move the force of the water elsewhere, and maybe set up some eddies. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puvNOk3gjt...0/IMG_1637.JPG Protecting something from the energy in flood waters goes way back.