Efficient jib-mainsail fluid-structure interaction modelling – Validations with semi-rigid sails experiments

The present work takes place in the framework of “Jib Sea” project. main purpose project is to develop a new sail design made articulated composite panels, for large merchant ships. French laboratory “ENSTA Bretagne, IRDL” involved this industrial its expertise on fluid-structure interactions modelling. A fast and robust approach model yacht sails presented. Specifically, interaction effects between jib mainsail are considered flow This achieved using lifting-line theory combined with discrete vortex method, involving distributions lumped-vortex elements along sections. coupled finite element analysis structure, shell modelling membranes, beam stringers battens quasi-static resolution based dynamic backward Euler scheme. Lifting-Line Theory presently validated by commercial software tools Unsteady Reynolds-Average Navier-Stokes equations. Numerical comparisons experiments conducted 50 m2 prototype conventional jib, built hoisted an onshore balestron rig. Measurements, such as strain gauges or cable tensions, synchronized wind sensor. These data collected together enable both global local numerical-experimental forces moments, providing validation proposed ship sails. good match experimental numerical observed relative differences all less than 25% TWA∈[−20;20] TWS<10 kn. Global comparison results exhibit validations |TWA|<10 deg kn, where 10%.