Experimental assessment of mega-yacht aerodynamic performance and characteristics

Larger main dimensions, superior comfort requests and higher manoeuvrability characteristics focus mega-yacht designer attention towards hull and superstructure aerodynamic performance. Windage evaluation of very high superstructure, aerodynamic load assessment, and accurate air flow simulation are considered very important in the design procedure to get optimal layout and opening position. Moreover they are used to precisely evaluate thrusters and Dynamic Positioning Systems horsepower. The lack of data concerning the peculiar mega-yacht forms and the result requested accuracy lead to the requesting for scale model wind tunnel tests. These tests can asked more and more frequently by designers and surveyors and considered a fundamental reference for any further CFD simulation. In this paper experimental methodologies developed at Politecnico di Milano Wind Tunnel in order to assess mega-yacht aerodynamics in terms of aerodynamic loads, comfort analysis, pollutants dilution and reingestion analysis using wind tunnel tests are described.