SVA Potsdam offers a wide range of modern experimental measurement methods covering many different types of maritime model tests. The most important result from resistance and propulsion tests is an exact prediction of power requirements for the full-scale ship. In addition to the experimental investigations we provide extensive services in the preparation and follow-up of the tests to ensure optimum execution and evaluation of the tests.


Prior to the actual test runs we offer:
- Comprehensive and professional consultancy
- Prognosis calculation
- Lines design, Propeller design
- In-house manufacturing of ship models from wood, paraffin wax and rigid foamed plastic
- Manufacturing of ship models from polyester plastic at experienced third party companies
- In-house manufacturing of model appendages of all kind
- In-house manufacturing of propellers resp. supply of propellers from a stock of more than 800

Accompanying and after the test runs customers get:
- The opportunity to take part in all tests
- Immediate evaluation of every single measuring point
- Preparation of a preliminary prognosis calculation after each test run
- Quick and flexible modifications of ship geometry according to test results
- Optimization of ship geometry and appendages utilizing numerical simulations



The SVA towing tank is 280 m long; resistance and propulsion tests can be executed with a speed of up to 7 m/s. Further details on the technical equipment of the towing tank can be found here.

Beside the standard tests for resistance and propulsion of conventional single-, twin- and triple screw ships, special propulsion systems and special purpose ships have been investigated at SVA Potsdam for many years. In particular the following ship types have been tested thoroughly:
- Double-ended ferries
- Offshore platforms
- Mega yachts
- Tugs (including bollard pull and trawl pull measurements)
- Submarines
- etc.

Special propulsion systems can be developed and manufactured according to customer specification or can be provided by the original manufacturer. Particularly the manufacturing and application of
- Podded drives
- Voith-Schneider propeller
- Water Jets
can be provided.



To visualize the wall bounded flow at the model and to determine the position and alignment of bilge keels and bow thruster openings paint flow tests will be executed standardly.



A three-dimensional wake field measurement is usually the best basis for a competitive propeller design. At SVA Potsdam a five hole pressure probe is used to accomplish this with high accuracy. Moreover we can offer stereoscopic PIV for wake field measurements of different kind. The application of a five hole pressure probe offers the following benefit:
- Measurements in the propeller plane
- Measurements at the position of appendages, e.g. shaft brackets
- Arbitrary positions can be reached with the probe
- The spatial resolution can be arbitrarily adjusted
- Immediate evaluation of every single measuring point
- The default wake field measurement for single-screw ships is done with a resolution of 37 points on 6 radii resp.
- The spatial resolution will be adjusted according to local requirements, for example behind podded drives, struts and shaft brackets