Comparison of Aircraft Loads Using URANS and Actuator Disk Modelling of Propellers

Abstract

A comparison of simulations are performed using both steady RANS with an actuator disk model to represent the propellers and URANS with full rotating blade geometry, for the Clean Sky 2 flying test bed 2, which is a regional turboprop with co-rotating propellers. The simulations are performed for a cruise configuration at Mach 0.2 and a Reynolds number of 11.933 × 10 6 for a range of angles of attack and side slip angles. The generation of the database for the actuator disk model is explained, along with the calibration of the blade angle to give a specified thrust. Aerodynamic coefficients for both the airframe and the propellers are extracted and compared with wind-tunnel data from an atmospheric wind-tunnel test undertaken in a previous Clean Sky 2 project (ReLOAD).

Regional Multi-Mission Aircraft in Clean Sky 2: Environmental Impact and Actual Technologies Evaluation from Flight Tests

“…They can be clustered in several areas:  Semi-morphing wing concept and load alleviation systems based on an affordable Flight Control System (FCS) for wing optimization control surfaces, [12] and [13], that includes: o Winglet morphing: the aim of the variable geometry winglet is to have the capability to adapt it to the flight conditions. This provides aerodynamic benefits in terms of aerodynamic efficiency; wing load alleviation during maneuvers and gusts, [8] and [9]; and increase roll and yaw control capability. o Multifunctional flap for advanced high lift devices: in addition to its conventional function as a high lift device, flaps are designed to have capability to continuously modify its shape in flight.…”

Comparison of Aircraft Loads Using URANS and Actuator Disk Modelling of Propellers at High Incidence

“…Additionally, the CFD simulations are compared to wind-tunnel data from an atmospheric wind-tunnel test undertaken in a previous Clean Sky 2 project ReLOAD (Regional turboprop loads control through active and passive technologies) [1]. This paper expands on [2], to compare the two methods for high angles of attack and high side slip.…”