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Publications
Sutherland, L.S., Viegas, S.D. and Miller, P.H. (2025), Structural analysis and design of a composite Portuguese ‘Muleta’ lateen mainsail yard, Innovations in the Analysis and Design of Marine Structures, Garbatov, Y. & Guedes Soares C. (Eds.), Taylor & Francis, London, UK, 641-648.
Finite element analyses to refine an initial bending-only composite laminate design for the 16.5 m wooden mainsail yard (a spar) of a replica ‘Muleta’ are presented. The shear stiffness of off-axis fibres was found to be significant. Exploratory finite element modelling was then used to investigate the effects of (i) and increased proportion of longitudinally aligned carbon fibres, and (ii) reducing the extent of the extra reinforcement either side of the mast contact point. These findings were then used to redesign the composite laminate, giving a huge weight saving (55%) compared to the wooden yard. However, since this is a tourism craft, extra external layers of cheaper glass were added to give a more conservative final design, but with a 45% weight saving over the wooden yard. The tools developed will enable economically viable, longer life-cycle composite yard replacements for numerous other traditional sailing craft of the River Targus/Tejo, and further abroad.
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