My English is hurting too... and sadly,
it's my first and only language.
Sailboat keels are not surfboard fins,
but they have a lot in common. I mention this because the terminology
for fin geometry and its respective mechanical/dynamical impact for
sailboat keels is far more sophisticated and precise. The main reason
for this is fairly obvious – historically, there has been a lot
more money to be made in understanding and perfecting sailboat keels.
But it's not just the terminology, it's
also existence of simulation software in the keel design
sector, which, dedicated or adapted, might allow one to sort out the
impact of different geometries -e.g. the impact of surfboard fin
rake, which in keel terminology is captured by sweep angle, on the
lift/drag ratio, and possibly the force distribution profile in
general, which may be closer to what you're after. I wouldn't know
for sure, but since you're an academic, they may be more forthcoming
and allow you to use it, if not run a few test cases for you,
possibly even allow you to rewrite a bit of it, adapting it to
surfboard fins.
There is also the mesh software used by Carswell, see tomatdataum's post above. (Of which I know squat
about.)
I do suspect however, that making the
standard static assumptions and modeling the force to be concentrated
at the centroid of the fin's
plan-form is sort of lame. For one thing fins are generally foiled.
The simple centroid treatment provides a limited to marginal degree
of insight as to whether a given fin with a given geometry and
installation will fail. If my understanding of where you might be
taking your research is correct, it would be nice to have a better
understanding of the structural role of foil and how it impacts the
stress distribution -i.e. the role of foil as a purely structural
element, even if it's only a by-product of it [your research].
I do have an interest in fin function
and structure, but it's amateurish at best, so whether or not any of
the my above comments will be of value is questionable. Also, I'm
still not completely clear as to where you're placing the emphasis in
your project... and quite frankly there's no need to for me to be all
that clear... it's your project... and anyway, 'emphasis' does have a
way changing.
Swaylocks has any number of fin experts
(on function, geometry, systems, installations, and production) who
occasionally post. They range from owners of companies, to sales
reps, right down to your local fin aficionado, cranking off the
occasional 'next big thing in fins'. Sort of like johnmellor's latest tunnel fin –
which has inspired Schick's new product line for lady Right Whales
looking for that hairless (barnacle free?) under-fin look. Anyway,
they're all easy enough to find, just do a search on fins and they'll
pop up.
Thanks, I hope you keep the forum
informed – even if it's just the occasional interesting bit of
insight.
kc