Collier Aerospace Corp. and its cutting-edge CAE technology support the Swiss SP80 team in its attempt to break the world sailing speed record.
Collier Aerospace Corp. presented at JEC World 2022, May 3-5, the success of its new HyperX dimensional analysis and optimization software in the design of a unique composite racing yacht. This innovative kite-powered trimaran was built by a Swiss team of young engineers and sailing enthusiasts, assisted by students from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL). In 2023, this crew, known as the SP80 team, will attempt to break the world sailing speed record by reaching 80 knots off the French coast. Collier Aerospace exhibited a one-meter-scale model of the sailboat on its stand so that visitors could get a close-up view of this unique vessel.
"The SP80 team was extremely impressed by the new lHyperX software and the engineering expertise we received from Collier Aerospace, said Xavier Lepercq, co-founder and CTO of SP80. The HyperX software was able to dimension an extremely complex structure and evaluate several different load cases very quickly. We really relied on Collier Aerospace's engineering judgment and experience to help us make intelligent decisions. We look forward to working with the Collier Aerospace team on future structural projects."
Optimizing sizing
Using HyperX software, Collier Aerospace provided composite optimization for the majority of the craft's primary rigid structures, including the main hull, energy module and aft floats. Sizing involved determining the thinnest, lightest laminates and sandwich core material that met the mechanical requirements in each section of the boat, while maintaining positive safety margins.
In addition, HyperX software was used for a variety of other purposes on the SP80 team's boat. These included comparative studies for numerous laminate and sandwich panel combinations; structural optimization for fabrication by defining fabrication and installation sequences using thin carbon fiber-reinforced laminates; and evaluation of different structural design concepts, followed by rapid dimensioning of the newly generated structures, including static stress and buckling analyses - often during part fabrication. The model generated in HyperX software contains 300,000 elements and over 500 unique design properties.
"A complex project cohis composite sailboat is where HyperX software really shines, said Mischa Pollack, Director of Innovation for Collier Aerospace. It can dimension a structure much faster than other tools. This speed has enabled us to evaluate many different design concepts for the various chassis components, including the energy module. This type of project is one of my favorite things about Collier Aerospace: working with great teams like the SP80 group while helping HyperX become a better tool for the future."
Unique structure
Competitors attempting to break the world sailing speed record have a great deal of latitude in the design of their boats, which led and inspired the SP80 team to use a trimaran architecture composed of four key elements. Three carbon-fiber-reinforced composite hulls (the main hull/passenger compartment, which protects the pilot and co-pilot, and the two side floats, which ensure stability at low and high speeds), are designed to remain in contact with the water at all times. Super-ventilated hydrofoils reduce cavitation and drag, helping the pilot to use all available power to propel the boat forward. A kite (sail) is then attached to the main hydrofoil and transforms wind power into propulsive force to move the boat. Several different kites, ranging in size from 25 to 40 square meters, can be used to adapt to different wind conditions. The all-important, patented composite power module is a mechanical system that constantly aligns the upward force of the kite with the downward force of the hydrofoils, effectively transmitting the wind forces of the kite to the hydrofoils and the boat itself, while maintaining stability at high speeds. Together, these four elements have been designed to increase speed and minimize drag in the air and water to help the team succeed in their record attempt.