Fullscale Hydrodynamic Force Measurement on the Berlin Sailing Dynamometer

Abstract

At the Institute of Naval Architecture, Marine and Ocean Engineering (ISM), Technical University of Berlin, a research project was initiated investigating prediction methods for hydrodynamic forces acting on sailing yachts. For a 33ft. sailing yacht model tests with various keel designs and RANSE calculations have been carried out. In order to verify both, a full scale sail-force­dynamometer was built which enables to record the resulting hydrodynamic forces in a seaway without scaling parameters. In addition, separate six and five component balances have been designed for measuring the forces acting on keel and rudder for the model tests as well as on the full scale boat. The design and construction of the full scale measuring device is presented. Along with some sample measurements a general calibration procedure for inclined multicomponent balances is proposed. A short review of the model tests and RANSE-calculations complement the presentation.