An experimental-driven methodology for the evaluation of pre-tension of stays and shrouds for large sailing vessels

Since numerical structural calculations of sailing yachts' rigs strictly depend on the dock tuning load (DTL), it is necessary to evaluate it during vessels' normal operations even when it cannot be estimated by load cells installed onboard. In this paper, a novel approach for the determination of the pre-tension load of stays and shrouds for large sailing vessels is presented and it based on the coupling of an analytical approach to the cables’ dynamics and the evaluation of natural modes by using Experimental Modal Analysis (EMA). The validation of the method herein proposed as been validated by numerical non linear Finite Element calculations.