A Study on Xizhang Junk Form Barge Train

Time-honoured ancient Xizhang Junk form remains to be predominant in the barge train fleet which plays an important role in domestic transport of the Jiangnan region crisscrossed by waterways in East China.

With a view to reduce the formation coefficient of barge train, the shallow water resistance of the Xizhang Junk, both individually and in train, has been investigated both by means of towing tank model tests and full-scale trials in Grand Canal. A modified body plan is proposed. Operational results have shown good energy-saving, if the modified form barge is placed as the first one in the barge train. In the appendix, empirical formulae based on existing vessels are given to show the parametric features of Xizhang Junk form.