Innovative hydrodynamic impact project voted best graduation internship

A project to enhance nautical performance

Amaury Lechapelain was honored for his project entitled "Development of a hydrodynamic impact model", carried out during his end-of-study internship at GSea Design, a company specializing in the design of composite structures for competitive boating.his end-of-study internship at GSea Design, a company specialized in the design of composite structures for competitive boating. The project is part of a continuous process of innovation aimed at improving the strength and performance of racing yachts, which face extreme conditions at sea.

The work focused on a phenomenon well known to naval architects: slamming, or tossing, which refers to the violent impact of the hull on the surface of the water, caused by waves. This brutal impact causes vibrations, noise and discomfort for the crew, as well as significant structural stresses that can compromise the boat's integrity. In an era when sailing boats are reaching record speeds - such as Thomas Ruyant's IMOCA, which covered 1,000 km in 24 hours at more than 22 knots - taking these impacts into account is becoming crucial for hull design.

A comprehensive and innovative technical approach

Amaury Lechapelain's project involved developing a numerical hydrodynamic impact model, using advanced tools such asOpenRADIOSS, to simulate fluid-structure interactions. This model can be used to predict the pressures exerted during slamming, enabling hull design to be adjusted right from the upstream phases.

At the same time, he designed an in-house automated tool, called SPLASH 2D, to facilitate impact analysis on different hull sections. This tool has made it possible to significantly reduce simulation times andintegrate the results into the sailboatdesign process, saving GSea Design engineers time and improving precision.

Finally, through the analysis of geometries proposed by architects, the tool has made it possible to compare various configurations and identify the most promising shapes from a structural point of view, paving the way for the design of more efficient and resistant hulls.

This project enabled Amaury Lechapelain to develop expertise in hydrodynamics, numerical modeling and process automation, while bringing real added value to GSea Design. The ATMA 2024 prize crowns an exemplary academic and associative career, marked in particular by his involvement in the Wave maritime association, and his participation in innovation competitions such as the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge and the Sumoth Challenge.

A fine example of the synergy between passion, scientific rigor and innovation in the service of maritime performance.