HyperWorks' Role in Developing a Race-Winning Yacht for Volvo Ocean Race 2009
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)
- Sensors - Level Sensors
Applicable Industries
- Aerospace
- Marine & Shipping
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
Use Cases
- Manufacturing Process Simulation
- Structural Health Monitoring
About The Customer
ABstructures is a company that provides innovative design solutions for lightweight structures, both in advanced composite materials and high-performance metal alloys. With over a decade of experience operating at the highest level in international yacht racing, ABstructures has been involved in prestigious events from America's Cup to 'round-the-world yacht races, such as the Volvo Ocean Race. In addition to the yacht racing industry, ABstructures also provides its services to the aerospace industry and to development teams of racing cars. The company follows an optimized lightweight approach from project brief to concept development and product delivery.
The Challenge
ABstructures, a company specializing in innovative design solutions for lightweight structures, was tasked with the challenge of developing a structurally optimized racing yacht within a preset time frame for the Volvo Ocean Race 2009. The challenge was compounded by the strict boundary conditions of the Volvo Open70 Rule, which defined parameters such as the keel weight to be between 6.0-7.4 tons and the overall weight of the yacht to be close to 14 tons. The company needed to design and optimize the carbon structures of the yacht to achieve fundamental structural improvements compared to the older-generation yachts that competed in the 2004 edition of the Volvo Ocean Race.
The Solution
ABstructures employed the CAE suite HyperWorks to structurally design and optimize the yacht. The solution involved full structural design and structural multilayer optimization for maximizing performances like strength, stiffness, and minimum weight by using cutting-edge CAE technology. This included the optimization of all structurally relevant parts of the yacht such as the keel fin sections, the cant mechanism, and the associated structure. Advanced optimization concepts were applied to streamline the process for designing composite laminates. The solution also involved identifying the three key phases involved in the design process and coupling them with various optimization techniques. The application of free size optimization allowed the synthesis of concepts that utilize all the potential of a composite structure. The ply sizes generated at the concept stage were fine-tuned by applying a detailed ply sizing optimization for design performance and manufacturing requirements.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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