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SOUTHPOINTE, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun. 22, 2009--
Pursuing its vision of innovative yacht design, Alinghi is relying on both structural mechanics and fluid dynamics simulation technologies from ANSYS to perform system-level vessel design and analysis. Even small improvements may prove crucial: During the 32nd America’s Cup, the yachts were separated in many races by less than 30 seconds.
“The team used structural simulation tools from ANSYS extensively in the
development, design and optimization of every aspect of the winning
yacht for the 2007 America’s Cup campaign,” said
Alinghi’s success partly depends upon arriving at a capable design that
will outperform competitors under uncertain environmental conditions.
Solving multiple classes of physics problems by using the integrated
solutions from ANSYS will empower Alinghi to achieve this feat quickly
and economically. “We have been given a few months to design what we
believe will be the fastest sailboat of its kind in history. We are
pushing the limits and going where very few have gone before as far as
boat structures, hull shapes and sail design are concerned. Because of
this push, and because we do not have the luxury of time and cannot
afford to be wrong, we have no choice but to increase our reliance on
our simulation tools. We are confident that a very fast boat will be the
end result of this collaboration with ANSYS,” said
Applying ANSYS® software to structural simulation, Alinghi’s goal is to build the lightest, strongest boat possible. The team will use ANSYS fluid dynamics simulation primarily on the hulls, appendages, sails and masts. “With the sheer size and speed of the class of yacht we’re designing, the loads have become enormous. We need to have confidence in our simulations, because if something breaks people may be hurt. We also need our shapes to be optimal for fluid drag and lift purposes, so while the structural engineers want everything to be shaped like an I-beam for optimal structural properties, the fluids people want everything to be streamlined and skinny. Somewhere in the middle is the optimum, and this is where the ANSYS software is so useful. Doing full simulation using the same family of codes within the ANSYS® Workbench™ environment really makes our life easier,” Bungener added.
Recent advances in the common user environment of the ANSYS Workbench
platform, combined with core engineering simulation solvers and advanced
meshing tools, facilitate the seamless and intuitive two-way integration
between the team’s geometry modeling, drafting and design efforts. “The
ANSYS Workbench environment has been designed with such multiphysics
needs in mind. Alinghi now has the simulation tools it needs to optimize
strength and aerodynamics in its push to defend the America’s Cup. As
Official Supplier, we stand behind them as they marry the athletic
challenges of sailing with their ability to design and engineer a highly
capable vessel,” said
For downloadable images, visit http://www.ansys.com/newsimages.
About the America’s Cup and Alinghi
The America's Cup is the most famous and most prestigious regatta in the sport of sailing and the oldest active trophy in international sport, attracting top sailors and yacht designers. Although the most salient aspect of the regatta is its yacht races, it is also a test of boat design, sail design and management skills.
Alinghi was formed in 2000. In 2003, Alinghi won the America’s Cup
against Team New Zealand (5-0) and became the first team to win the
America’s Cup on its first attempt. Thanks to this victory, the Cup
returned to
About
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###
Source:
ANSYS, Inc.
Media:
Kelly Wall, 724-514-3076
kelly.wall@ansys.com
or
Investors:
Annette
Arribas, 724-514-1782
annette.arribas@ansys.com
