Advanced Wing Systems
AWS — Aerodynamic and Structural Load Monitoring for Flexible Wingsails
Inalia designed and implemented a structural monitoring system for AWS’s Americas Cup concept wingsail, enabling real measurement of aerodynamic and structural loads under operational conditions.
Need
Measure real structural loads at the wingsail base.
Estimate aerodynamic thrust contribution.
Understand sail structural behaviour and its relationship with vessel motion and wind conditions.
Challenges
Separation of aerodynamic, vessel dynamic, and sail vibration load contributions from a single set of field measurements.
Durability and remote data acquisition in marine environment.
Data analysis and structural assessment from real operational data.
Solution
Definition of the monitoring strategy and sensor architecture to capture bending moments at the wingsail base.
Installation of strain, acceleration, and motion sensors.
Proprietary load separation algorithm to resolve aerodynamic, dynamic, and vibratory components.
Total load histograms and structural assessment under real operating conditions.
Full calibration and commissioning.
Load relationships mapped against wind speed and direction, camber, sail rigging, sail orientation, vessel motion, sea state, and slamming events.
