Despite the development of numerical modelling, the experimental approach remains a major source of knowledge development in ship hydrodynamics. The contribution to the selection of adequate hypothesis and to the validation of analytical or numerical models is of primary importance. In numerous situations, the experimental approach remains the most reliable, economical and fast way to validate new designs. 
Specific instrumentations and facilities have been developed for experimental hydrodynamics and are presented in this course.
Practical works are proposed to students in the facilities of Ecole Centrale Nantes (towing tank, wave tank with multiflap wavemaker, optical tracking system for ship models, etc …)