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

The current situation involves analyzing a non-symmetric condition, as opposed to the typical symmetric conditions encountered in airplane cruise scenarios. The angle of this configuration complicates the meshing process, but it is manageable. Additionally, the presence of the free surface influences the overall dynamics.

A more significant challenge arises from the piercing phenomenon. Under normal conditions, the tip of the foil often pierces the surface, leading to ventilation. This aspect is crucial, as ventilation can significantly reduce lift. Due to these complexities, we were unable to fully capture all the relevant physics in our current model, but there are promising avenues for future exploration.

Transitioning to the academic side, the work I will present predates our collaboration with American Magic. This research, although at a lower Technology Readiness Level (TRL), incorporates three-dimensional modeling and structural analysis. Unlike the previous Mac framework, which focused solely on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), our current approach couples CFD with a structural solver. This integration allows for Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) analysis, ensuring that optimization considers the interactions between fluid dynamics and structural responses for each flow condition.