High Speed Vehicle Fluid-Structure-Jet Interaction Analysis and Modeling

Abstract

This paper presents high-fidelity solutions of the fluid-structure-jet interaction problem for slender high-speed vehicles along with two jet interaction modeling methods, one semiempirical and one CFD-based, to approximate the high-fidelity solution. The high-fidelity solutions of a representative high-speed vehicle with jet interaction and structural deformation show that the resultant loads are affected by the deformation. The semi-empirical jet interaction model is developed using previous work in the literature and approximates the main features of the jet interaction solution when compared to numerical and experimental results. The CFD-based jet interaction model is developed by using data-fusion of a previously developed aerodynamic loads surrogate, the semi-empirical jet interaction model, and CFD solutions of the jet interaction. This data-fusion model approximates the surface pressure of a representative high-speed vehicle with varying flow, structure, and jet parameters and can be used within a flight simulation framework. Overall, the work demonstrates a need to model the fluid-structure-jet interaction of high-speed vehicles and modeling methods that may be used to approximate the full solution.

Unsteady Fluid–Structure–Jet Interactions of Agile High-Speed Vehicles

“…In addition, the attitude jet thrust has a range that is sufficient to counter-act the aerodynamic stiffness of the vehicle leading to very large angles above 90 degrees. However, from previous work by the authors 17 it is shown that there is a nonlinear transition between the jet interaction with a windward and leeward facing jet, which occurs near zero angle of attack of a rotating vehicle. The dynamic transition between windward and leeward is expected to be more significant and is the subject of the current work compared to the dynamic effects at very high angles of attack.…”

“…The aerodynamic interference model was based on a series of steady-state solutions, which would not capture any of the dynamic aspects during flight simulations. Kitson and Cesnik 16,17 have developed a flexible high speed vehicle model with a reaction control system to maneuver the vehicle during flight simulations within a coupled modeling and simulation framework. However, the JI model was based on steady-state solutions that do not account for the dynamic flight environment or the transient forces due to varying jet pressure.…”