Capturing Sail Shape in A Wind Tunnel Environment

Abstract

Validation is an important part of computer‐based numerical modelling and can be very difficult to achieve. Comparisons with results from practical trials are often used; in this research, photogrammetry has proved to be an excellent method of creating a benchmark model from experimental results against which the computer generated numerical model can be compared. The wind tunnel experimental environment is challenging with practical limitations imposed by space and airflow capabilities. There are few documented cases where stereo‐photogrammetry has been used in wind tunnel sail modelling and the results from this research have shown it has played a prominent role in validating an innovative method of modelling fluid–structure interaction. This paper presents the photogrammetric work undertaken to validate a fluid–structure interaction (FSI) solution by measuring the shape of a close reaching asymmetric spinnaker in a wind tunnel at The University of Nottingham. There is particular focus on the data capture in the wind tunnel and the photogrammetric analysis.