Research on sail aerodynamics performance and sail-assisted ship stability

• We study aerodynamic performances of rigid arc sail model by wind tunnel tests.
• The optimal sail attack angle and sail rotating angle are obtained.
• The stability criteria calculation method of sail-assisted ships is proposed.
• The stability criteria mentioned is feasible based on sail model experiment.

Through the use of wind energy the goals of energy conservation and emission reduction could be realized for ocean-going ships. In this paper the performance coefficients of a sail model and the optimal sail attack angle are determined based on wind tunnel test results. The stability criteria calculation method of sail-assisted ships is proposed on the basis of current literature covering the stability criteria regulations of ocean-going ships. Calculation method for the stability parameter is introduced to investigate the reasonableness of the sail models. Finally a sail model was made and its stability is demonstrated using the proposed stability criteria calculation method of sail-assisted ships.