Multi

Multi
-
-
objective Optimization
objective Optimization
of an America
of an America

s Cup Class Yacht Bulb

s Cup Class Yacht Bulb
Matteo Ledri, Mauro Poian, Giorgio Contento
Multi-objective Optimization of an
America's Cup Class Yacht Bulb
2
Introduction
Introduction
The present work is focused on the optimization of the bulb shape of an
IACC (International Americas Cup Class)
There are no restrictions for the bulb shape according to the class rules (v 5.0)
The weight has been fixed to maintain the same displacement of the boat
Multi-objective Optimization of an
America's Cup Class Yacht Bulb
3
Problem definition
Problem definition
The bulb of an IACC yacht represents the 80% of the boat
total weight.
The main features of an optimal design are:
Minimum drag to decrease the total resistance of the boat
Low centre of gravity to increase the righting moment
(maximum draft according to the AC rule v 5.0 : 4.1m)
Multi-objective Optimization of an
America's Cup Class Yacht Bulb
4
Problem definition
Problem definition
The optimization process consists of three
phases:
Parametric modeling of the geometry (CATIA v5)
Automatic meshing (ICEMCFD)
CFD analysis (CFX5)
Multi-objective Optimization of an
America's Cup Class Yacht Bulb
5
Parameterization strategy
Parameterization strategy
An initial ellipsoid is modified with Bezier curves to obtain a fair shape:
Three input variables define the ellipsoid semi-axes
Three Bezier curves are defined by a set of control points
The coordinates of the Bezier curves are summed to the ellipsoid coordinates to
obtain the final shape of the profiles
A set of sections is created using the profiles in x, y, z directions
A lofted surface of the bulb is created using the sections
20 input variables:
A,B,C: ellipsoid semi-axes
X_top1, Z_top1, X_top2, Z_top2: coordinates of the control points to modify
the top profile of the bulb
X_bottom1, Z_bottom1, X_bottom2, Z_bottom2: coordinates of the control
points to modify the bottom profile of the bulb
X_side1, Y_side1, X_side2, Y_side2, X_side3, Y_side3 : coordinates of the
control points to modify the side view of the bulb
m, n: parameters of the top and bottom section curves
tail: dimension of the bulb tail relative to the bulb breadth
Multi-objective Optimization of an
America's Cup Class Yacht Bulb
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Parameterization strategy
Parameterization strategy
X_top1,Y_top1
X_top2,Y_top2
Ellipsoid top profile modification using bezier curve
Multi-objective Optimization of an
America's Cup Class Yacht Bulb
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Parameterization strategy
Parameterization strategy
Effect of parameters mand
non the section shape
Effect of parameter Con the
section shape
Multi-objective Optimization of an
America's Cup Class Yacht Bulb
8
Mesh
Mesh
generation
generation
The computational domain has been meshed using ICEMCFD
Reference lines to build the blocking imported from CATIA v5
Mesh Size: 2M Hexa Cells
Multi-objective Optimization of an
America's Cup Class Yacht Bulb
9
CFD Analysis
CFD Analysis
The flow analysis has been performed using CFX 5.7.1
Automatic preprocessing using recorded script
Parallel execution
Automatic postprocessing
Simulation data:
Inlet Normal Speed: 5 m/s
Turbulence Model: SST
Convergence Criteria: Residual RMS < 1.0E-05
Multi-objective Optimization of an
America's Cup Class Yacht Bulb
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Workflow setup
Workflow setup
Input variables
Input, Output, Transfer files
Output variables
Objectives and Constraints
Logic flow
Multi-objective Optimization of an
America's Cup Class Yacht Bulb
11
Parallel processing
Parallel processing
Two degrees of parallelization have been implemented:
Parallel CFD analysis Domain partitioning
Parallel optimization Submission of concurrent designs
J ob performed on a Linux Cluster with 12 CPUs
4 concurrent designs
3 partitions for each design
Multi-objective Optimization of an
America's Cup Class Yacht Bulb
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Results
Results
Multi-objective Optimization of an
America's Cup Class Yacht Bulb
13
Results
Results
Minimum Drag
Lowest VCG
Best Trade-off
Multi-objective Optimization of an
America's Cup Class Yacht Bulb
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Conclusion and further developments
Conclusion and further developments
A procedure for the development of an optimized bulb shape has
been investigated solving practical problems related to:
Parameterization of geometry
Automatic meshing
CFD analysis
Results could be further improved by means of:
Use of the CFX transitional model in the CFD analysis
Validation of the CFD model with experimental tests
Integration of the results into a custom VPP (Velocity Prediction Program) to
evaluate the difference of boat speed due to drag and stability variations
Comparison between different optimization algorithms applied to this problem