Unsure of the exact load paths the NS14 mainsail undergoes, I used Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to run simulated load-cases to determine where high loads were acting and where extre reinforcement needed to be placed on a new mainsail design.
Firstly, the load case needed to be set up with all of the loads acting on the sail whilst underway...
Then with the appropriate material properties selected, the load path can be simulated...
