Design optimization of interacting sails through viscous cfd

Abstract

In this paper, we present ADONF, a new numerical simulation platform for viscous flows. This platform is developed and validated to compute analysis, design and optimization of real flows around complex sails configurations through a large number of automated Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations. We illustrate the ability of ADONF to search for robust, high performance, optimized fluid flows, in the field of the aerodynamic of sailing boats. Results presented focus on the optimization of the design and trimming of interacting sails because it is a question of major interest for many competitive sailors. Because ADONF is based on Navier-Stokes equations in RANS or URANS formulations, sail shape and trimming optimization in upwind and downwind sailing conditions may be addressed as will be shown. For future applications, it will be possible to extend and apply ADONF to hydrodynamic of sailing boats or any other fields in fluid mechanics governed by Navier-Stokes Equations.