Desarrollo de un sistema de apoyo a la decisión para optimizar el comportamiento de barcos de vela

Abstract

In this paper, the conception and design of a new monitoring system for a racing yachts rig is presented. The sensors developed are able to process the measured strain data, by applying artificial neural networks (ANN) algorithms, and then evaluate the load acting on an element and identify the direction of the action of that force. This way, it is possible to identify the actual operating conditions of the yacht rig. The required data for ANN training is generated from the results obtained from different finite element method (FEM) computational models of the device. Furthermore, during the design phase of the system, different experimental campaigns were carried out. The experimental tests were designed to serve as proof of concept, as well as to validate the different procedures used in the system development and application.The developed monitoring system is wireless, low-intrusive and easily adaptable to any yacht configuration.This work also presents the integration of the monitoring system into a coupled fluid-structure computation model for the sails and rig of a boat. The resulting system is an efficient tool for evaluating performance and decision support in the adjustment of a sailboat rig.