88 Scientific Journals 29(101) Scientific Journals Zeszyty Naukowe Maritime University of Szczecin Akademia Morska w Szczecinie 2012, 29(101) pp. 88–94 2012, 29(101) s. 88–94 Ship’s ballast tanks size and dimensions review for the purpose of model research into the liquid sloshing phenomenon Przegląd kształtów i wymiarów okrętowych zbiorników balastowych dla potrzeb badań modelowych zjawiska sloshingu Przemysław Krata, Wojciech Wawrzyński, Wojciech Więckiewicz, Jacek Jachowski Gdynia Maritime University, Faculty of Navigation Akademia Morska w Gdyni, Wydział Nawigacyjny 81-345 Gdynia, al. Jana Pawła II 3 e-mail: p.krata@wn.am.gdynia.pl, keswwaw@am.gdynia.pl, wiecwoj@op.pl, jjaca@o2.pl Key words: Abstract The paper presents the pending stage of a study into the influence of liquid sloshing phenomenon taking place in ships’ tanks on ship transverse stability. The research is carried out at the Gdynia Maritime Academy and it comprises both numerical simulations and experimental test. A number of problems needs to be addressed and one of them is proper planning of geometry of a model tank utilized in the course of experimental tests. It shall refer to the real ships’ tanks shapes to model liquid sloshing phenomenon fair enough. The typical groups of ships’ tanks are analyzed and presented as well as the free surface correction effecting vessels’ transverse stability. Słowa kluczowe: Abstrakt W artykule przedstawiono element prowadzonego projektu badawczego dotyczącego wpływu zjawiska sloshingu zachodzącego w niepełnych zbiornikach okrętowych na stateczność poprzeczną statku morskiego. Badania realizowane w Akademii Morskiej w Gdyni obejmują zarówno symulacje numeryczne, jak i nie- odzowne badania eksperymentalne. Jednym z zagadnień jest zaprojektowanie zbiornika modelowego wyko- rzystywanego w eksperymencie, który winien prawidłowo odzwierciedlać kształty i proporcje zbiorników okrętowych. Poddano zatem analizie populację statków morskich i ich zbiorników balastowych, wyróżniając charakterystyczne cechy tych zbiorników, w tym poprawkę od swobodnych powierzchni cieczy. Introduction Maritime transport plays an important role in political and economical systems for last couple of millennia. It is still developing and especially in recent decades is marked by a globalization sign, therefore the importance of overseas transportation of goods is vital. The main commonly discussed features of maritime transport are usually its safety and effectiveness. However, the effectiveness of a transportation process is a complex and important matter, the ships safety issues are crucial from the operational point of view and they can be con- sidered as one of the most prospective technical affairs. One of the most critical features of seagoing ships related to her safety is stability influencing ship’s overall seakeeping performance. Ship’s stability is a component of many researches leading to the increase in understanding of the safety qualifying factors. Stability against capsizing and excessive heeling is one of the most fundamental requirements considered by naval