Case study: Wind-assisted ship propulsion performance prediction, routing, and economic modelling

In this paper, a vessel model for the performance of wind-assisted ships is combined with a routing tool to assess the fuel savings available from the installation of both one and two Flettner rotors when travelling along a Great Circle Route path. This is combined with an economic analysis to assess commercial viability for these hybrid...

Surrogate-based aerodynamics for composite wing box sizing

The main objective of this paper is to propose an aeroelastic optimization approach capable of performing structural sizing optimization considering structural and aerodynamic constraints. The proposed approach uses a detailed FE model of a composite wing with shell elements in order to obtain realistic weight estimation and structural...

Aeroelastic tailoring for static and dynamic loads with blending constraints

In the present paper the authors want to investigate the effect of different load configuration in order to identify the ones driving the optimization. A set of static loads, gust loads and static loads with maneuver load alleviation (MLA) are tested. Gust loads have been included in the optimization via an equivalent static load (ESL)....

Validation of a simple aerodynamic model capable to predict the interaction effects occuring between two generic wind propulsion systems

Aeroelastic Optimization of Variable Stiffness Composite Wing with Blending Constraints

Optimizing the laminates of large composite structures is nowadays well-recognized as having significant benefits in the design of lightweight structural solutions. However, designs based on locally optimized laminates are prone to structural discontinuities and enforcing blending during the optimization is therefore crucial in order to achieve...

Validation of a simple aerodynamic model capable to predict the interaction effects occuring between two generic wind propulsion systems

In recent years wind-assisted propulsion for commercial ships has gained an increasing interest as valuable alternative to reduce fuel pollutant emissions. However, the development of feasible and commercially viable wind propulsion systems to partially (or fully) propel a ship is nowadays hindered by the difficulties of modelling the...

Wind-assisted ship propulsion: A review and development of a performance prediction program for commercial ships