This paper relates the results of our investigations to improve the design of "full-length" composite battens. The paper starts by describing the technologies used to manufacture battens and the role they play in sail equilibrium. A method is then proposed to help in the design of battens. It is a blend of theory and experiment that focuses on the strength of the battens. When a batten is close to rupture, it is subject to large rotations and must therefore be modeled by non-linear computations of the slender beam type. In addition, we have calculated the stress distribution in a laminated composite. As for the tricky problem of the maximum allowable stresses for composite materials, we have shown that a specific characterization test is necessary. With a series of examples, we show that stronger battens can be developed through selection of the cross-sectional areas and the materials.

Keywords:
strength, ply, computation, matrix, stiffness distribution, thickness, sailing conditions, batten failure, fiber, composite
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2003. The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
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