Multi-objective optimization of A-class catamaran foils adopting a geometric parameterization based on RBF mesh morphing

Abstract

The design of sailing boats appendages requires taking in consideration a large amount of design variables and diverse sailing conditions. The operative conditions of dagger boards depend on the equilibrium of the forces and moments acting on the system. This equilibrium has to be considered when designing modern fast foiling catamarans, where the appendages accomplish both the tasks of lifting up the boat and to make possible the upwind sailing by balancing the sail side force. In this scenario, the foil performing in all conditions has to be defined as a trade-off among contrasting needs. The multi-objective optimization, combined with experienced aerodynamic design, is the most efficient strategy to face these design challenges. The development of an optimization environment has been considered in this work to design the foils for an A-Class catamaran. This study, in particular, focuses on the geometric parameterization strategy combined with a mesh morphing method based on Radial Basis Functions, and managed through the workflow integration within the optimization environment.