Design Optimization of Subcavitating Hydrofoils for America's Cup Class Yachts

The adjoint method we are discussing is a coupled adjoint, which considers the interactions between error structures. It includes a structural adjoint, an aerodynamic adjoint, and off-diagonal terms to form a complete coupled adjoint. This approach was first developed during my PhD thesis at Stanford, in collaboration with James Reuter and Juan. We successfully integrated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) into this process.

In the context of hydroelastic structures, the dynamics differ from those of a wing box due to the solid nature of the structure. Here, the elements are solid rather than aerodynamic, and the outer mold line acts as a structural variable. Changes to the outer mold line directly affect the structure, which is similar to a Libox, but with a greater influence since there are no thickness variables involved.

This work was conducted with Professor Julie Young, formerly of the University of Michigan, who introduced me to this field. Together, we co-advised three students sequentially. The first student, Nitin Garg, has since joined the Ios Britannia Team for the current America's Cup cycle. Notably, this research represents the first validation of an optimization process conducted without a framework, although it focused on the hydronaval side rather than the aerodynamic side.