Chalmers Sports & Technology
High performance in sports are closely coupled to technology, both when it comes to new materials and motion analysis. SSPA and the Sports & Technology at Chalmers University of Technology are cooperating in one of the sports, sailing. Joint sports-related research projects in collaboration with athletes, trainers, sports associations, industry, research institutes and universities.
In the Olympic sailing classes, with small and lightweight dinghies for one or two people, the weight of the crew constitutes a considerable part of the total weight. Consequently, the behaviour of the boat depends largely on the placement and movement of the crew. Using advanced computer simulations, we can link different scientific fields – hydrodynamics, aerodynamics, rigid body motion, control engineering and fluid-structure interaction – and uncover new solutions to these complex problems.
The computer simulations, combined with ground-breaking water basin experiments performed at SSPA, provides new insights into Laser and Optimist sailing performance. Full-scale testing provides unique results pushing sailing forward!
Photo: The Swedish Sailing Federation. A Laser sailed at the venue for the 2012 Olympics in Weymouth by Swedish Olympian Rasmus Myrgren.
Take a look at the video clip "Introduction to Sports & Technology" (by Chalmers University of Technology)
Contacts
Ph.D. (Tech. Management and Economics), M.Sc. (Mech. Eng.), M.Sc. (Business Admin.)
Organic dinghy - building in a nutshell
In a project together with Chalmers Sports & Technology, SSPA has contributed to the design and build of a racing skiff dinghy where 70 percent of the hull is made of biomaterials. The dinghy will soon compete in a three-day regatta against other boats representing universities all over the world. This dinghy is one of a kind. The principles of skiff dinghy design have been combined with innovative, more environmentally friendly materials.
Sailing, aerodynamics in waves
Prediction and analysis of added hydrodynamic resistance in waves is an established research topic, with several accepted methods, but the study of sail aerodynamics in waves is an open research area. SSPA and Chalmers are cooperating in the Sports & Technology initiative, with several research projects in sailing. The leading journal Ocean Engineering has recently published a paper titled “CFD prediction of steady and unsteady upwind sail aerodynamics”.
Sports & Technology, new papers
High performance in sports are closely coupled to technology. SSPA and Chalmers are cooperating in Sports & Technology, with several research projects in sailing. A team with researchers recently visited a conference to present their papers. Results and findings from the research projects "The Foiling Optimist", “The Paper Boat” and “Ranking of 7 Rudders for the Finn Dinghy” was presented.
The optimist dinghy proves it can fly
Students and researchers from Chalmers Sports & Technology and SSPA, has together designed and developed an optimist dinghy with supreme capabilities. By using a composite with added graphene, the hull is made stronger and lighter. Hydrofoils are added to lift the boat, decreasing drag and allowing greater speeds. After tests performed in SSPA’s facility, the towing tank, the dinghy was ready to be tried out at sea.
Aiming for the Olympic games
Chalmers Sports & Technology and SSPA collaborates with Max Salminen, a two-time Swedish Olympic sailor and gold medalist. Max is aiming for the Olympic games in Tokyo 2020. To prepare himself in the best way, he wants to find out what rudder is the best for him and his Finn. To find out, he teamed up with experts in hydrodynamics and sailing to test different existing rudders.
Olympic dinghies tested
Chalmers, Sports & Technology and SSPA collaborates with several Swedish national team sailors and Olympic aspirants for Tokyo 2020. In the Olympic classes athletes constantly strive to improve performance. To achieve this, they can either make changes on the dinghy or the way they sail. The hydrodynamic experts at SSPA performs different tests in the 260 metres long towing tank.
Olympic rowing tested
SSPA, in collaboration with Chalmers Sports & Technology, experiments with rowing boats in the 260 meter towing tank. This is the first time SSPA is carrying out combined tests in the towing tank on both the rowing boat and the rower.
How to sail an Olympic Laser class dinghy - towing tank tests
The Laser dinghy is a strict one-design Olympic class and very few, if any, alterations are allowed. So what can be done in a towing tank to provide new insights for sailors?