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Yates, E. Carson, Jr.

Publications and source records attributed to Yates, E. Carson, Jr..

Integral-equation methods in steady and unsteady subsonic, transonic and supersonic aerodynamics for interdisciplinary design

Progress in the development of computational methods for steady and unsteady aerodynamics has perennially paced advancements in aeroelastic analysis and design capabilities. Since these capabilities are of growing importance in the analysis and design of high-performance aircraft, considerable effort has been directed toward the development of appropriate aerodynamic methodology. The contributions to those efforts from the integral-equations research program at the NASA Langley Research Center is reviewed. Specifically, the current scope, progress, and plans for research and development for inviscid and viscous flows are discussed, and example applications are shown in order to highlight the generality, versatility, and attractive features of this methodology.

Yates, E. Carson, Jr.↗

Boundary-integral method for calculating aerodynamic sensitivities with illustration for lifting-surface theory

The technique of implicit differentiation has been used in combination with linearized lifting-surface theory to derive analytical expressions for aerodynamic sensitivities (i.e., rates of change of lifting pressures with respect to general changes in aircraft geometry, including planform variations) for steady or oscillating planar or nonplanar lifting surfaces in subsonic, sonic, or supersonic flow. The geometric perturbation is defined in terms of a single variable, and the user need only provide simple expressions or similar means for defining the continuous or discontinuous global or local perturbation of interest. Example expressions are given for perturbations of the sweep, taper, and aspect ratio of a wing with trapezoidal semispan planform. The present process appears to be readily adaptable to more general surface-panel methods.

Yates, E. Carson, Jr.↗

AGARD standard aeroelastic configurations for dynamic response

Since emphasis is on the transonic speed range, special importance is placed on configurations for which available data are sufficient to define accurately a transonic flutter boundary. Only configurations with clean, smooth surfaces are considered suitable. Segmented models or models with surface-slope discontinuities are inappropriate. Excluded also, in general, are configurations and data sets that involve behavior that is uncertain or not well understood, uncertain model properties, or know sensitivities to small variations in model properties. In order to assess the suitability of configurations already tested and the associated data for designation as standard, a survey of AGARD member countries was conducted to seek candidates for the prospective set. The results of that survey are given and summarized along with the initial selection of a standard configuration.

Yates, E. Carson, Jr.↗

Integral equation solution of the full potential equation for transonic flows

An integral equation method for solving the full potential equation has been developed for arbitrary configurations in two- or three-dimensional transonic flows. This method is capable of capturing shocks using Murman-Cole type of finite difference scheme and is capable of predicting accurate and force-free wake shape as well. A rectangular grid combined with a technique of local grid refinement greatly improved the computational efficiency.

Chu, Li-Chuan↗

Aerodynamic sensitivities from subsonic, sonic and supersonic unsteady, nonplanar lifting-surface theory

The technique of implicit differentiation has been used in combination with linearized lifting-surface theory to derive analytical expressions for aerodynamic sensitivities (i.e., rates of change of lifting pressures with respect to general changes in aircraft geometry, including planform variations) for steady or oscillating planar or nonplanar lifting surfaces in subsonic, sonic, or supersonic flow. The geometric perturbation is defined in terms of a single variable, and the user need only provide simple expressions or similar means for defining the continuous or discontinuous global or local perturbation of interest. Example expressions are given for perturbations of the sweep, taper, and aspect ratio of a wing with trapezoidal semispan planform. In addition to direct computational use, the analytical method presented here should provide benchmark criteria for assessing the accuracy of aerodynamic sensitivities obtained by approximate methods such as finite geometry perturbation and differencing. The present process appears to be readily adaptable to more general surface-panel methods.

Yates, E. Carson, Jr.↗

Development of computational methods for unsteady aerodynamics at the NASA Langley Research Center

The current scope, recent progress, and plans for research and development of computational methods for unsteady aerodynamics at the NASA Langley Research Center are reviewed. Both integral equations and finite difference methods for inviscid and viscous flows are discussed. Although the great bulk of the effort has focused on finite difference solution of the transonic small perturbation equation, the integral equation program is given primary emphasis here because it is less well known.

Yates, E. Carson, Jr.↗

AGARD standard aeroelastic configurations for dynamic response. Candidate configuration I.-wing 445.6

To promote the evaluation of existing and emerging unsteady aerodynamic codes and methods for applying them to aeroelastic problems, especially for the transonic range, a limited number of aerodynamic configurations and experimental dynamic response data sets are to be designated by the AGARD Structures and Materials Panel as standards for comparison. This set is a sequel to that established several years ago for comparisons of calculated and measured aerodynamic pressures and forces. This report presents the information needed to perform flutter calculations for the first candidate standard configuration for dynamic response along with the related experimental flutter data.

Yates, E. Carson, Jr.↗

Static aeroelastic effects on the flutter of a supercritical wing

The results of an effort to calculate the effects of angle of attack and the associated aeroelastic deformation on the flutter of a highly swept supercritical wing by use of the modified strip analysis employed in previous studies of this wing are discussed. The spanwise distributions of steady state section lift-curve slope and aerodynamic center required as input for these calculations were obtained from static aeroelastic calculations for the wing by use of the FLO22 transonic code and an assumed dynamic pressure. The process is iterative so that flutter can be obtained at the same dynamic pressure as that used to calculate the statistically deformed shape and loading about which the flutter oscillation occurs (matched conditions). The results of this investigation show that the unconventional backward turn of the transonic dip in the experimental flutter boundary for angles of attack greater than zero is caused by variations in mass ratio and not by static aeroelastic deformation, although inclusion of the latter appears to be required for quantitative accuracy in the calculations.

Yates, E. Carson, Jr.↗

Preliminary report on candidates for AGARD standard aeroelastic configurations for dynamic response

At the request of the Aeroelasticity Subcommittee of the AGARD Structures and Materials Panel, a survey of member countries has been conducted to seek candidates for a prospective set of standard configurations to be used for comparison of calculated and measured dynamic aeroelastic behavior with emphasis on the transonic speed range. This set is a sequel to that established several years ago for comparisons of calculated and measured aerodynamic pressures and forces. Approximately two dozen people in the United States, and more than three dozen people in the other member countries, were contacted. This preliminary report presents the results of the survey and an analysis of those results along with recommendations for the initial set of standard configurations and for additional experimental work needed to fill significant gaps in the available information.

Yates, E. Carson, Jr.↗

Development of computational methods for unsteady aerodynamics at the NASA Langley Research Center

The current scope, recent progress, and plans for research and development of computational methods for unsteady aerodynamics at the NASA Langley Research Center are reviewed. Both integral-equations and finite-difference method for inviscid and viscous flows are discussed. Although the great bulk of the effort has focused on finite-difference solution of the transonic small-perturbation equation, the integral-equation program is given primary emphasis here because it is less well known.

Yates, E. Carson, Jr.↗

Static aeroelastic effects on the flutter of a supercritical wing

It is well known that wings with supercritical airfoils generally have lower transonic flutter speeds than similar wings with conventional airfoils and that small increases in angle of attack from zero and the accompanying static aeroelastic deformations have further detrimental effects on transonic flutter. The results of an effort to calculate the effects of angle of attack and the associated aeroelastic deformation on the flutter of a highly swept supercritical wing (TF 8A) by use of the modified strip analysis employed in previous studies of this wing are presented. The spanwise distributions of steady-state section lift-curve slope and aerodynamic center required as input for these calculations were obtained from static aeroelastic calculations for the wing by use of the FL022 transonic code and an assumed dynamic pressure as that used to calculate the statically deformed shape and loading about which the flutter oscillation occurs. The results show that the unconventional backward turn of the transonic dip in the experimental flutter boundary for angles of attack greater than zero is caused by variations in mass ratio and not by static aeroelastic deformation, although inclusion of the latter appears to be required for quantitative accuracy in the calculations.

Yates, E. Carson, Jr.↗

Problems and progress in aeroelasticity for interdisciplinary design

Some problems and progress in the development of aerodynamic and aeroelastic computational capabilities are reviewed with emphasis on needs for use in current interdisciplinary design procedures as well as for stand-alone analyses. The primary focus is on integral-equation methods which are well suited for general, accurate, efficient, and unified treatment of flow around vehicles having arbitrary shapes, motions, and deformations at subsonic, transonic, and supersonic speeds up to high angles of attack. Computational methods for potential flows and viscous flows are discussed, and some applications are shown. Calculation of steady and unsteady aeroelastic characteristics of aircraft with nonlinear aerodynamic behavior is also addressed briefly.

Yates, E. Carson, Jr.↗