Fluid-Structure Interaction of a Foiling Craft

Hydrofoils are a current hot topic in the marine industry both high performance sailing and new passenger transport systems conjunction with electric propulsion. In community, largest impact is seen from America’s cup, where boats sailed at more than 50 knots (over 100 km/h) 100% “flying” time. also becoming popular Olympics, as 2024 Olympic games 5 gold medals will be decided on foiling boats/boards. The reason for increasing popularity of hydrofoils recent advances composite materials, especially their strength to stiffness ratio. general, have very small wetted surface area compared hull. Therefore, after “take-off” speed, hull, consequently resistance boat, reduced considerably. larger weight boat crew higher speeds, greater loads be. research investigates interaction effects between fluid structure ZP00682 NACRA 17 Z-foil. study carried out experimentally, SSPA’s cavitation tunnel, numerically using fully coupled viscous solver structural analysis tool. experimental methodology has been used validate numerical tools, which turn reverse engineer material properties internal foil. flow speed chosen represent realistic speeds found class, namely 5, 7, 9 m/s. forces deflection Z-foil investigated, showing maximum corresponding 24% immersed span. Finally, leeway rake angles bending investigated assess influence different strategies, that differential set-up might preferred search minimum drag.