This paper describes insights into keel and rigging loads obtained through a data acquisition system fitted on the fleet of Volvo 65 yachts during the 2014-2015 Volvo Ocean Race. In the first part keel fin stress spectra are derived from traces of canting keel ram pressures and keel angle; these are reviewed and compared against equivalent spectra obtained by applying methods proposed by Det Norske Veritas - Germanischer Lloyd (“DNVGL”) guidelines and the ISO 12215 standard. The differences between stress spectra and their validity are discussed, considering two types of keel: milled from a monolithic cast of steel, and fabricated from welded metal sheets. The second part discusses predicted and actual rigging working loads for the Volvo 65 yachts, considering how safety factors vary between design loads proposed by DNVGL and actual recorded loads.
Groupe Finot Naval Architects and the School of Engineering Sciences, Ship Science of the University of Southampton have started a joint research project to carry out an experimental investigation concerning the effects of slamming on offshore sailing yachts.
A reliable autonomous data acquisition system was designed that allowed measurements to be taken during long offshore races. The details of the design and implementation of this system are presented together with some sample results from the first measurement campaigns.
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