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At least 199 records · Page 11

Influence of structural and aerodynamic modeling on optimization with flutter constraint

The influences of structural and aerodynamic modeling on multidisciplinary optimization in an aeroelastic environment are not well understood. Therefore, optimizations with flutter and frequency constraints were performed to investigate the effects these modeling factors have on various representative wings. To this end, the Automated Structural Optimization System (ASTROS) was used as a tool to minimize the weight of various fully built-up finite element wing models in subsonic and supersonic flow under given flutter and frequency constraints. First, the performance of the optimization module was tested against results from other codes on a straight and uniform wing widely used for optimization with flutter constraints. Then, fully built-up finite element models of various wings with different aspect ratios were investigated for the influence on the structural optimization for minimum weight of the following modeling factors: finite element selection, structural grid refinement; number of selected modes, retention of breathing modes; selection of reduced frequencies to be used in flutter analysis; aerodynamic panel size and placement; splining of the aerodynamic grid to the structural grid selection of extra points of the structural wing box for splining; and number of constraints to be retained. Knowledge of these influences as well as of the program behavior is important, since optimization can be made more efficient by the selection of reasonable initial models. Also, it was shown previously that modeling has an impact on the results of modal and aeroelastic analyses. Thus, if modeling errors can negatively affect the analyses, a minimum weight optimization can be jeopardized and result in an optimal design that is rather unreliable. In the following, selected results are presented and the influences of some modeling parameters on optimization are pointed out.

Striz, Alfred G.↗

Subsonic aerodynamic and flutter characteristics of several wings calculated by the SOUSSA P1.1 panel method

Several applications of the steady, oscillatory, and unsteady subsonic and supersonic aerodynamics (SOUSSA) computer program to wings with steady and oscillatory motion, including flutter, are discussed. The program employs a generalized Green's function to the full, time-dependent potential-flow equation to obtain an integral equation for the velocity potential at any point in a flow, even points on a body or whole bodies in a flow. Aerodynamic calculations are provided for two rectangular wings, a clipped-tip delta wing, and two swept wings with and without a fuselage. The number and distribution of the finite element panels are varied in order to demonstrate the convergence of the results. The results are shown to be close to those of lifting-surface theory, and further applications with bodies having deformities, arbitrary shapes, motions, and deformations are indicated.

Yates, E. C., Jr.↗

Subsonic aerodynamic and flutter characteristics of several wings calculated by the SOUSSA P1.1 panel method

The SOUSSA (steady, oscillatory, and unsteady subsonic and supersonic aerodynamics) program is the computational implementation of a general potential flow analysis (by the Green's function method) that can generate pressure distributions on complete aircraft having arbitrary shapes, motions and deformations. Some applications of the initial release version of this program to several wings in steady and oscillatory motion, including flutter are presented. The results are validated by comparisons with other calculations and experiments. Experiences in using the program as well as some recent improvements are described.

Yates, E. C., Jr.↗

Planform curvature effects on flutter characteristics of a wing with 56 deg leading-edge sweep and panel aspect ratio of 1.14

An experimental and analytical investigation was initiated to determine the effects of planform curvature (curving the leading and trailing edges of a wing in the X-Y plane) on the transonic flutter characteristics of a series of three moderately swept wing models. Experimental flutter results were obtained in the Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel for Mach numbers from 0.60-1.00, with air as the test medium. The models were semispan cantilevered wings with a 3 percent biconvex airfoil and a panel aspect ratio of 1.14. The baseline model had straight leading and trailing edges (i.e., no planform curvature). The radii of curvature of the leading edges for these two models were 200 and 80 inches. The radii of curvature of the leading edges of the other two models were determined so that the root and tip chords were identical for all three models. Experimental results showed that flutter-speed index and flutter frequency ratio increased as planform curvature increase (radius of curvature of the leading edge was decreased) over the test range of Mach numbers. Analytical flutter results were calculated with a subsonic flutter-prediction program, and they agreed well with the experimental results.

Keller, Donald F.↗

AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, 34th and AIAA/ASME Adaptive Structures Forum, La Jolla, CA, Apr. 19-22, 1993, Technical Papers. Pts. 1-6

Topics addressed include the prediction of helicopter component loads using neural networks, spacecraft on-orbit coupled loads analysis, hypersonic flutter of a curved shallow panel with aerodynamic heating, thermal-acoustic fatigue of ceramic matrix composite materials, transition elements based on transfinite interpolation, damage progression in stiffened composite panels, a direct treatment of min-max dynamic response optimization problems, and sources of helicopter rotor hub inplane shears. Also discussed are dynamics of a layered elastic system, confidence bounds on structural reliability, mixed triangular space-time finite elements, advanced transparency development for USAF aircraft, a low-velocity impact on a graphite/PEEK, an automated mode-tracking strategy, transonic flutter suppression by a passive flap, a nonlinear response of composite panels to random excitation, an optimal placement of elastic supports on a simply supported plate, a probabilistic assessment of composite structures, a model for mode I failure of laminated composites, a residual flexibility approach to multibody dynamics,and multilayer piezoelectric actuators.

Source record↗

Unsteady hybrid vortex technique for transonic vortex flows and flutter applications

The well developed surface panel method is extended by adding a volume integral term allowing calculation of the full effect of compressibility. The full effect of compressibility is calculated by using mixed type finite difference scheme consistent with the mixed nature of transonic flow. The solution is obtained through successive iteration cycles for subcritical flows and for critical flows the solution is obtained through satisfying the Rankine-Hugoniot relations across the captured shock in addition to the captured shock. The method is applied to airfoils in subcritical and critical flows and the results are in good agreement with the experimental data and finite-difference solutions of the full-potential and Euler equations.

Kandil, Osama A.↗

Report of the panel on dynamics and aeroelasticity

Model scaling for flutter analysis is reviewed. Characteristics of the Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT) are described and several features are recommended for inclusion in the National Transonic Facility. Problem areas suggested for the NTF include: Reynolds number effects on control surface unsteady aerodynamics; effects of Reynolds number on buffet onset and loads; transonic unsteady aerodynamics; and Reynolds number effects on flutter characteristics of wing planforms and airfoils.

Houbolt, J.↗

ASTROP3 user's guide

ASTROP3 (Aeroelastic Stability and Response of Propulsion Systems) is a FORTRAN computer code developed for calculating the performance and dynamic stability (classical flutter) of single rotation propfans. Three-dimensional, subsonic aerodynamics with constant pressure panel discretization and MSC/NASTRAN finite element analysis of the blade are used to calculate the steady and unsteady aerodynamic forces. The flutter analysis is a modal based technique using motion dependent aerodynamic forces based on in-vacuum frequencies and normal modes of the individual propfan blades. The execution of ASTROP3 is illustrated through the calculation of blade performance and blade aeroelastic stability for the SR7L rotor. These calculations are representative of applications for ASTROP3. All input and output files necessary for program execution are discussed, as well as other appropriate information to aid the user in applying the program.

August, Richard↗

Passive Wireless Vibration Sensing for Measuring Aerospace Structural Flutter

To reduce energy consumption, emissions, and noise, NASA is exploring the use of high aspect ratio wings on subsonic aircraft. Because high aspect ratio wings are susceptible to flutter events, NASA is also investigating methods of flutter detection and suppression. In support of that work a new remote, non-contact method for measuring flutter-induced vibrations has been developed. The new sensing scheme utilizes a microwave reflectometer to monitor the reflected response from an aeroelastic structure to ultimately characterize structural vibrations. To demonstrate the ability of microwaves to detect flutter vibrations, a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite panel was vibrated at various frequencies from 1Hz to 130Hz. The reflectometer response was found to closely resemble the sinusoidal response as measured with an accelerometer up to 100 Hz. The data presented demonstrate that microwaves can be used to measure flutter-induced aircraft vibrations.

Wilson, William C.↗

Flutter Analysis of the Shuttle Tile Overlay Repair Concept

The Space Shuttle tile overlay repair concept, developed at the NASA Johnson Space Center, is designed for on-orbit installation over an area of damaged tile to permit safe re-entry. The thin flexible plate is placed over the damaged area and secured to tile at discreet points around its perimeter. A series of flutter analyses were performed to determine if the onset of flutter met the required safety margins. Normal vibration modes of the panel, obtained from a simplified structural analysis of the installed concept, were combined with a series of aerodynamic analyses of increasing levels of fidelity in terms of modeling the flow physics to determine the onset of flutter. Results from these analyses indicate that it is unlikely that the overlay installed at body point 1800 will flutter during re-entry.

Bey, Kim S.↗

Aeroelastic Tailoring of Transport Wings Including Transonic Flutter Constraints

Several minimum-mass optimization problems are solved to evaluate the effectiveness of a variety of novel tailoring schemes for subsonic transport wings. Aeroelastic stress and panel buckling constraints are imposed across several trimmed static maneuver loads, in addition to a transonic flutter margin constraint, captured with aerodynamic influence coefficient-based tools. Tailoring with metallic thickness variations, functionally graded materials, balanced or unbalanced composite laminates, curvilinear tow steering, and distributed trailing edge control effectors are all found to provide reductions in structural wing mass with varying degrees of success. The question as to whether this wing mass reduction will offset the increased manufacturing cost is left unresolved for each case.

Stanford, Bret K.↗

Continued development and correlation of analytically based weight estimation codes for wings and fuselages

The implementation of the changes to the program for Wing Aeroelastic Design and the development of a program to estimate aircraft fuselage weights are described. The equations to implement the modified planform description, the stiffened panel skin representation, the trim loads calculation, and the flutter constraint approximation are presented. A comparison of the wing model with the actual F-5A weight material distributions and loads is given. The equations and program techniques used for the estimation of aircraft fuselage weights are described. These equations were incorporated as a computer code. The weight predictions of this program are compared with data from the C-141.

Mullen, J., Jr.↗

Titanium honeycomb structure

A brazed titanium honeycomb sandwich system for supersonic transport wing cover panels provides the most efficient structure spanwise, chordwise, and loadwise. Flutter testing shows that high wing stiffness is most efficient in a sandwich structure. This structure also provides good thermal insulation if liquid fuel is carried in direct contact with the wing structure in integral fuel tanks.

Davis, R. A.↗

Flutter Tests of Some Simple Models at a Mach Number of 7.2 in Helium Flow

Results of hypersonic flutter tests on some simple models are presented. The models had rectangular plan forms of panel aspect ratio 1.0, no sweepback, and bending-to-torsion frequency ratios of about 1/3. Two airfoil sections were included in the tests; double wedges of 5-, 10-, and 15-percent thickness and flat plates with straight, parallel sides and beveled leading and trailing edges. The models were supported by a cantilevered shaft. The double-wedge wings were tested in helium at a Mach number of 7.2. An effect of airfoil thickness on flutter speed was found, thicker wings requiring more stiffness to avoid flutter. A few tests in air at a Mach number of 6.9 showed the same thickness effect and also indicated that tests in helium would predict conservative flutter boundaries in air. The data in air and helium seemed to be correlated by piston-theory calculations. Piston-theory calculations agreed well with experiment for the thinner models but began to deviate as the thickness parameter MT approached and exceeded 1.0. A few tests on flat-plate models with various elastic-axis locations were made. Piston-theory calculations would not satisfactorily predict the flutter of these models, probably because of their blunt leading edges.

Morgan, Homer G.↗