Impact of Hydrofoil Shaped Imperfections on Lift and Drag Characteristics

Macikowski, Zbigniew; Karczewski, Artur; Krata, Przemysław

doi:10.2478/pomr-2025-0018

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of production imperfections on the lift and drag characteristics of hydrofoils, in order to ensure equal opportunities for racing athletes. To achieve this research objective, 18 regatta class approved hydrofoils underwent 3D scanning. Measurements of the sweep, anhedral, and angle of attack for each section were conducted based on the scans. Simple load tests were also employed to assess the deformation of the foil under working conditions. Using the data obtained from these measurements, we developed a simplified parametric model of the foil. Subsequently, CFD simulations were conducted for selected parameter ranges, in order to determine the lift and drag of the hydrofoil. The research revealed variations among the foils, with some significantly affecting the lift characteristics. Of these, variations in the angle of attack had the greatest influence on lift.

References

Sacher M, Durand M, Berrini É, Hauville F, Duvigneau R, Le Maître O, Astolfi JFlexible hydrofoil optimisation for the 35th America’s Cup with constrained EGO method. Ocean Engineering 2018;157:62–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.OCEANENG.2018.03.047.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kostas KV, Ginnis AI, Politis CG, Kaklis PD. Shape-optimisation of 2D hydrofoils using an Isogeometric BEM solver. Computer-Aided Design 2017;82:79–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CAD.2016.07.002.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ploé P. Surrogate-based optimisation of hydrofoil shapes using RANS simulations. École centrale de Nantes, 2018.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Balze R, Bigi N, Roncin K, Leroux J-B, Nême A, Keryvin V, Astolfi J. An innovative tool to study and optimise racing yacht appendages using fluid structure interactions. II International Conference on Computational Methods in Marine Engineering 2017:616–24. https://doi.org/10.34894/VQ1DJA.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Melis MF, Hansen H, Fischer M, Abdel-Maksou M. Velocity Prediction Program for a Hydrofoiling Lake Racer. SNAME 24th Chesapeake Sailing Yacht Symposium, CSYS 2022 2022. https://doi.org/10.5957/CSYS-2022-011.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Kerdraon P, Horel B, Bot P, Letourneur A, Le Touzé D. Development of a 6-DOF Dynamic Velocity Prediction Program for offshore racing yachts. Ocean Engineering 2020;212:107668. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.OCEANENG.2020.107668.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Maung PT, Prusty BG, Donough MJ, Oromiehie E, Phillips AW, St John NA. Automated manufacture of optimised shape-adaptive composite hydrofoils with curvilinear fibre paths for improved bend-twist performance. Marine Structures 2023;87:103327. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MARSTRUC.2022.103327.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Herath MT, Phillips AW, St John N, Brandner P, Pearce B, Prusty G. Hydrodynamic response of a passive shape-adaptive composite hydrofoil. Marine Structures 2021;80:103084. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MARSTRUC.2021.103084.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hu J, Ning X, Sun S, Li F, Ma J, Zhang W. Fluid-structure coupled analysis of flow-induced vibrations in three dimensional elastic hydrofoils. Marine Structures 2022;84:103220. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.MARSTRUC.2022.103220.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Marimon Giovannetti L, Banks J, Ledri M, Turnock SR, Boyd SW. Toward the development of a hydrofoil tailored to passively reduce its lift response to fluid load. Ocean Engineering 2018;167:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.OCEANENG.2018.08.018.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Faye A, Perali P, Augier B, Sacher M, Leroux J-B, Nême A, Astolfi J. Fluid-Structure Interactions Response of a Composite Hydrofoil Modelled With 1D Beam Finite Elements. Journal of Sailing Technology 2024;9:19–41. https://doi.org/10.5957/JST/2024.9.1.19.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Li F, Yu P, Wang Q, Li G, Wu X. Numerical Analysis of the Effect of Flexibility on the Propulsive Performance of a Heaving Hydrofoil Undergoing Sinusoidal and Non-Sinusoidal Motions. Polish Maritime Research 2021;28:4–19. https://doi.org/10.2478/POMR-2021-0045.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Pruszko H. Hydroelastic properties of the sailing fin – influence of the stiffness distribution on the hydrodynamic forces. Gdańsk University of Technology, 2024.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Cardoso de Brito M, Sutherland LS, Pereira JMC, Arruda MR. Fluid-Structure Interaction Analyses for Hydro-Elastic Tailoring of a Windsurfer Fin. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 2022;10:1371. https://doi.org/10.3390/JMSE10101371.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Knudsen SS, Walther JH, Legarth BN, Shao Y. Towards the Dynamic Velocity Prediction of a NACRA 17. SNAME 24th Chesapeake Sailing Yacht Symposium, CSYS 2022 2022. https://doi.org/10.5957/CSYS-2022-002.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Ocaña-Blanco D, Castañeda-Sabadell I, Souto-Iglesias A. CFD and potential flow assessment of the hydrodynamics of a kitefoil. Ocean Engineering 2017;146:388–400. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.OCEANENG.2017.09.040.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Gospodnetic S, Pedišić-Buča M, Goleš S, Tasić J. The effect of in-tolerance leading-edge defects on cavitation of a propeller section in the rectilinear flow. SNAME Propeller and Shafting Symposium, PSS 2023 2023. https://doi.org/10.5957/PSS-2023-006.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Jin S, Zha R, Peng H, Qiu W, Gospodnetic S. Effects of leading-edge manufacturing defects on cavitation performance of foils. Marine Systems & Ocean Technology 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/S40868-024-00156-7.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Zarruk GA, Brandner PA, Pearce BW, Phillips AW. Experimental study of the steady fluid–structure interaction of flexible hydrofoils. J Fluids Struct 2014;51:326–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JFLUIDSTRUCTS.2014.09.009.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article
Hörberg E, Åkermo M, Hallström S. Moisture effect on shape distortions of curved quasi-isotropic prepreg composite laminates. Compos Part A Appl Sci Manuf 2021;145:106361. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.COMPOSITESA.2021.106361.
Search in Google Scholar Back to article

Impact of Hydrofoil Shaped Imperfections on Lift and Drag Characteristics

Abstract

Paradigm

My account