Mathematical Models and Numerical Simulation for the America s Cup

Keywords

SC4I/Digitization, Innovation, and Competitiveness of the Production System
Code:
MOX 39
Title:
Mathematical Models and Numerical Simulation for the America s Cup
Date:
Monday 10th May 2004
Author(s):
Parolini, Nicola; Quarteroni, Alfio
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Abstract:
This paper presents a review of the mathematical models which can be adopted to describe the different physical phenomena characterizing the flow around a sailing yacht. The complete model accounting for the laminar-turbulent transition regime, free-surface dynamics and fluid-sails interaction is introduced as long as some simplified models that have been used to reduce the computational complexity. Drawing on the experience of the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) as Official Scientific Advisor to the Alinghi Team, winner of 2003 America s Cup, we discuss the role of Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations based on Reynolds Averages Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations and their integration in standard yacht design process. Numerical results in different areas (appendages design, free-surface flows, aerodynamics of sails) are presented and discussed.