Mid-fidelity approach to aerodynamic simulations of unconventional VTOL aircraft configurations

Tugnoli, Matteo; Montagnani, D.; Syal, Monica; Droandi, Giovanni; Zanotti, Alex

doi:10.1016/j.ast.2021.106804

Cited by 78 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The aerodynamic database obtained by this advanced technique will be used to develop a low-order method to predict the maximum lift coefficient of tail planes in the scanned parameter range. The method will exploit low-and mid-fidelity, physics-based numerical methods implemented in an open-source library developed by the POLIMI partner [10]. Ground-breaking calibration methods, integrating the most advanced UQ technologies, will also be leveraged to calibrate an error function of the low-order, physics based method developed to predict the nonlinear aerodynamics and maximum lift coefficient of the tail planes in the select parameter space.…”

Section: Project Objectives and Conceptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monnalisa: Modelling Nonlinear Aerodynamics of Lifting Surfaces

Auteri

Gibertini

Gori

et al. 2022

AIAA AVIATION 2022 Forum

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The performance-improvement objectives sought in future commercial aircraft may require a significant evolution of the current configurations and technologies for aircraft tails. An "Advanced Rear End" component for the forthcoming generation of ultra-efficient aircraft might consist of a very compact rear fuselage and tail surfaces whose planform may significantly differ from the state of the art in terms of aspect ratio, taper ratio and sweep angle. The Cleasky 2 MONNALISA (MOdelling NoNlinear Aerodynamics of LIfting SurfAces) project aims at developing and validating an innovative, physics-based low-order method to predict the non-linear aerodynamic characteristics of lifting surfaces with controls whose geometry could significantly differ from the usual ones. The development and validation of the method relies on a high-resolution database scanning the extensive space of design parameters: sweep angle, aspect ratio, taper ratio, dihedral angle, shape of the leading edge and presence of ice. A recently validated approach, based on the most advanced techniques of uncertainty quantification, guarantees the reliability of the database of the aerodynamic characteristics that will drive the development of the method. A by-product of the project, the aerodynamic database will efficiently mix highly accurate experimental results, state-of-the-art, high-fidelity numerical simulations and low-fidelity simulations.

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Section: Project Objectives and Conceptmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monnalisa: Modelling Nonlinear Aerodynamics of Lifting Surfaces

Auteri

Gibertini

Gori

et al. 2022

AIAA AVIATION 2022 Forum

Self Cite

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“…For a detailed insight on the mathematical formulation of the DUST code, including the implemented governing equations, the reader is referred to a recent work published by some of the present article authors [36]. The optional coupling with external codes was managed through pre-processor directives.…”

Section: Description Of Mbdyn-dust Couplingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, a VPM method was implemented for wake modeling providing a stable Lagrangian description of free-vorticity flow field, which is suitable for numerical simulations of configurations characterized by strong aerodynamic interactions. DUST was thoroughly validated by comparison with both high-fidelity CFD simulations results and experimental data over complex rotorcraft configurations, such as eVTOLs [36] and tiltrotors [37]. Consequently, this novel open source tool is reaching maturity for the simulation of the aerodynamics of complex rotorcraft configurations accurately reproducing the interaction between rotors and wings.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Coupling Mid-Fidelity Aerodynamics and Multibody Dynamics for the Aeroelastic Analysis of Rotary-Wing Vehicles

et al. 2021

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A mid-fidelity aerodynamic solver based on the vortex particle method for wake modeling, DUST, is coupled through the partitioned multi-physics coupling library preCICE to a multibody dynamics code, MBDyn, to improve the accuracy of aeroelastic numerical analysis performed on rotary-wing vehicles. In this paper, the coupled tool is firstly validated by solving simple fixed-wing and rotary-wing problems from the open literature. The transient roll maneuver of a complete tiltrotor aircraft is then simulated, to show the capability of the coupled solver to analyze the aeroelasticity of complex rotorcraft configurations. Simulation results show the importance of the accurate representation of rotary wing aerodynamics provided by the vortex particle method for loads evaluation, aeroelastic stability assessment, and analysis of transient maneuvers of aircraft configurations characterized by complex interactional aerodynamics. The limited computational effort required by the mid-fidelity aerodynamic approach represents an effective trade-off in obtaining fast and accurate solutions that can be used for the preliminary design of novel rotary-wing vehicle configurations.

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“…The aerodynamic interactions between multi-propeller configurations also represent an interesting benchmark for the validation of numerical tools in rotorcraft applications. In particular, recently, several mid-fidelity aerodynamic solvers were developed to perform the preliminary design of novel VTOL aircraft architectures [8,9] or to investigate the interactional flow physics typical of complex rotorcraft configurations, such as tiltrotors and compound helicopters [10,11]. Indeed, the use of vortex particle methods (VPMs) for wake modelling [12,13], which is typically implemented in these mid-fidelity solvers, enabled the authors to capture the aerodynamic interactions between several bodies while keeping the computational effort required for the simulations low.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Study of the Aerodynamic Interaction between Side-by-Side Propellers in eVTOL Airplane Mode through Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry

Zanotti

2021

Aerospace

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Side-by-side propellers characterise the architecture of most new electric aircraft (eVTOLs) designed in recent years for urban air mobility. The aerodynamic interaction between side-by-side propellers represents one of the key phenomena that characterise the flow field and performance of these novel aircraft configurations. The present article describes the main results of a wind tunnel campaign that aimed to investigate the flow features that characterise this aerodynamic interaction, with a particular application to cruise flight conditions in eVTOLs. With this aim, stereo particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements were performed in the wake of two co-rotating propeller models in a side-by-side configuration. The three-dimensional flow surveys provided detailed insights into the flow physics of the interacting propellers, with a particular focus on the interactional effects on the trajectory of the tip vortices and the wake topology provided at two different advance ratios by reproducing a moderate and a fast cruise speed of eVTOLs in urban areas.

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Mid-fidelity approach to aerodynamic simulations of unconventional VTOL aircraft configurations

Cited by 78 publications

References 27 publications

Monnalisa: Modelling Nonlinear Aerodynamics of Lifting Surfaces

Monnalisa: Modelling Nonlinear Aerodynamics of Lifting Surfaces

Coupling Mid-Fidelity Aerodynamics and Multibody Dynamics for the Aeroelastic Analysis of Rotary-Wing Vehicles

Experimental Study of the Aerodynamic Interaction between Side-by-Side Propellers in eVTOL Airplane Mode through Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry

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