Structural analysis is increasingly an important component of successful racing yacht design,” noted Dave Fornaro, design engineer at Farr Yacht Design (FYD). The company recently chose NEi Nastran, from Noran Engineering Inc, to enhance its composite structural analysis and simulation capabilities. FYD designs and engineers high performance racing yachts for major events including the America’s Cup and the Volvo Ocean Race, as well as custom and production yachts for builders around the globe.
Farr Yacht Design has provided the design and engineering for many winning Volvo Ocean Race contenders over the past 25 years. The Disney-backed “Pirates of the Caribbean” placed second in the 2005-2006 edition of the race. The grueling 9-month, round the world event covers some of the most extreme and inhospitable sailing conditions on earth, including winds up to 60 knots and ocean swells up to 30 feet high, with the boats capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots.
“We have been using FEA for several years to validate and improve our designs,” continued Fornaro. “We wanted advanced capabilities in several areas including laminated composites, nonlinear surface contact with friction, and bolted joints with pre-load. After an exhaustive review, we chose NEi Nastran based on its capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and quality technical support.”
FYD’s first application of Nastran is for it’s next-generation of designs for the Volvo Ocean Race, a grueling round-the-world race sailed in fully crewed, 70-foot carbon fiber yachts capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots. “These designs are forging new frontiers in ocean racing,” adds Fornaro. “They operate in harsh and brutal conditions, and require a rigorous level of structural design and analysis to ensure peak performance and safety.” NEi is expected to be a major contributor to the needed structural design and analysis.
Farr Yacht Design
www.farrdesign.com
Noran Engineering, Inc.
www.NEiNastran.com
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