2010-01

Experimental Study of the Hydro-Impact of Slamming in a Modern Racing Sailboat.

June Lee and Philip A. Wilson.

Abstract: The hydrodynamic impact, or hydro-impact, phenomenon caused by slamming on racing yachts and the local structure’s response is studied experimentally. Pressure transducers and a special measurement system named ‘Slam Patch’ have been designed and implemented to measure the hydro-impact pressure and/or the local structure’s response. The measurement systems were installed on a 1/7-scale model of an Open 60 yacht. Modal, rotational drop, and seakeeping-slamming tests are carried out. The measured hydro-impact pressure was processed statistically. A methodology to scale up the test results to prototype is mentioned. At the same time, the transient response of a simple structure under half-sine impulse is calculated using a commercial finite element analysis program to study the effect of the relationship between impulse duration and natural frequency of the structure.