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At least 307 records · Page 17

Viscous effects on transonic airfoil stability and response

An integral boundary layer model coupled to the inviscid XTRAN2L transonic small disturbance code is used to investigate viscous effects on transonic airfoil stability and response. A pulse transfer function analysis is employed for the computation of unsteady transonic airloads which yields forces for a wide range of reduced frequencies in a single flowfield computation. Nonlinear, time-marching aeroelastic solutions are obtained which exhibit the effects of viscosity on airfoil response behavior and flutter. A state-space aeroelastic model using Pade approximants to describe unsteady airloads is used to study viscosity effects on transonic airfoil stability. The state-space dynamic pressure root loci are in good general agreement with time marching damping and frequency estimates.

Berry, H. M.↗

Overview of NASA PTA propfan flight test program

The progress is covered of the NASA sponsored Propfan Test Assessment (PTA) flight test program. In PTA, a 9 ft. diameter propfan was installed on the left wing of a Gulfstream GII executive jet and is undergoing extensive flight testing to evaluate propfan structural integrity, near and far field noise, and cabin interior noise characteristics. This research testing includes variations in propeller tip speed and power loading, nacelle tilt angle, and aircraft Mach number and altitude. As a result, extensive parametric data will be obtained to verify and improve computer codes for predicting propfan aeroelastic, aerodynamic, and aeroacoustic characteristics. Over 600 measurements are being recorded for each of approx. 600 flight test conditions.

Graber, Edwin J.↗

The Benchmark Active Controls Technology Model Aerodynamic Data

The Benchmark Active Controls Technology (BACT) model is a part of the Benchmark Models Program (BMP). The BMP is a NASA Langley Research Center program that includes a series of models which were used to study different aeroelastic phenomena and to validate computational fluid dynamics codes. The primary objective of BACT testing was to obtain steady and unsteady loads, accelerations, and aerodynamic pressures due to control surface activity in order to calibrate unsteady CFD codes and active control design tools. Three wind-tunnel tests in the Transonic Dynamics Tunnel (TDT) have been completed. The first and parts of the second and third tests focused on collecting open-loop data to define the model's aeroservoelastic characteristics, including the flutter boundary across the Mach range. It is this data that is being presented in this paper. An extensive database of over 3000 data sets was obtained. This database includes steady and unsteady control surface effectiveness data, including pressure distributions, control surface hinge moments, and overall model loads due to deflections of a trailing edge control surface and upper and lower surface

Scott, Robert C.↗

Combining analysis with optimization at Langley Research Center. An evolutionary process

The evolutionary process of combining analysis and optimization codes was traced with a view toward providing insight into the long term goal of developing the methodology for an integrated, multidisciplinary software system for the concurrent analysis and optimization of aerospace structures. It was traced along the lines of strength sizing, concurrent strength and flutter sizing, and general optimization to define a near-term goal for combining analysis and optimization codes. Development of a modular software system combining general-purpose, state-of-the-art, production-level analysis computer programs for structures, aerodynamics, and aeroelasticity with a state-of-the-art optimization program is required. Incorporation of a modular and flexible structural optimization software system into a state-of-the-art finite element analysis computer program will facilitate this effort. This effort results in the software system used that is controlled with a special-purpose language, communicates with a data management system, and is easily modified for adding new programs and capabilities. A 337 degree-of-freedom finite element model is used in verifying the accuracy of this system.

Rogers, J. L., Jr.↗

Ongoing Aeroelastic Prediction and Validation Activities at NASA Langley Research Center

Current and future transonic aircraft concepts of interest to NASA may be susceptible to complex aeroelastic failure mechanisms that are difficult for computational tools to adequately predict. As such, a direct accounting of transonic flutter behavior has not historically been conducted at early design stages, where problems are less expensive to address. This paper summarizes efforts within NASA Langley's Aeroelasticity Branch to improve this situation, through advancements in computational prediction and optimization of transonic flutter behavior, in addition to planned wind tunnel tests aimed at providing a greater wealth of experimental data to validate predictions.

Bret K Stanford↗

Analyzing Aeroelasticity in Turbomachines

ASTROP2-LE is a computer program that predicts flutter and forced responses of blades, vanes, and other components of such turbomachines as fans, compressors, and turbines. ASTROP2-LE is based on the ASTROP2 program, developed previously for analysis of stability of turbomachinery components. In developing ASTROP2- LE, ASTROP2 was modified to include a capability for modeling forced responses. The program was also modified to add a capability for analysis of aeroelasticity with mistuning and unsteady aerodynamic solutions from another program, LINFLX2D, that solves the linearized Euler equations of unsteady two-dimensional flow. Using LINFLX2D to calculate unsteady aerodynamic loads, it is possible to analyze effects of transonic flow on flutter and forced response. ASTROP2-LE can be used to analyze subsonic, transonic, and supersonic aerodynamics and structural mistuning for rotors with blades of differing structural properties. It calculates the aerodynamic damping of a blade system operating in airflow so that stability can be assessed. The code also predicts the magnitudes and frequencies of the unsteady aerodynamic forces on the airfoils of a blade row from incoming wakes. This information can be used in high-cycle fatigue analysis to predict the fatigue lives of the blades.

Reddy, T. S. R.↗

A parametric study of planform and aeroelastic effects on aerodynamic center, alpha- and q- stability derivatives. Appendix A: A computer program for calculating alpha- and q- stability derivatives and induced drag for thin elastic aeroplanes at subsonic and supersonic speeds

The computer program used to determine the rigid and elastic stability derivatives presented in the summary report is listed in this appendix along with instructions for its use, sample input data and answers. This program represents the airplane at subsonic and supersonic speeds as (a) thin surface(s) (without dihedral) composed of discrete panels of constant pressure according to the method of Woodward for the aerodynamic effects and slender beam(s) for the structural effects. Given a set of input data, the computer program calculates an aerodynamic influence coefficient matrix and a structural influence coefficient matrix.

Roskam, J.↗

Concurrent processing adaptation of aeroplastic analysis of propfans

Discussed here is a study involving the adaptation of an advanced aeroelastic analysis program to run concurrently on a shared memory multiple processor computer. The program uses a three-dimensional compressible unsteady aerodynamic model and blade normal modes to calculate aeroelastic stability and response of propfan blades. The identification of the computational parallelism within the sequential code and the scheduling of the concurrent subtasks to minimize processor idle time are discussed. Processor idle time in the calculation of the unsteady aerodynamic coefficients was reduced by the simple strategy of appropriately ordering the computations. Speedup and efficiency results are presented for the calculation of the matched flutter point of an experimental propfan model. The results show that efficiencies above 70 percent can be obtained using the present implementation with 7 processors. The parallel computational strategy described here is also applicable to other aeroelastic analysis procedures based on panel methods.

Janetzke, David C.↗

Concurrent processing adaptation of aeroelastic analysis of propfans

This paper reports on a study involving the adaptation of an advanced aeroelastic analysis program to run concurrently on a shared memory multiple processor computer. The program uses a three-dimensional compressible unsteady aerodynamic model and blade normal modes to calculate aeroelastic stability and response of propfan blades. The identification of the computational parallelism within the sequential code and the scheduling of the concurrent subtasks to minimize processor idle time are discussed. Processor idle time in the calculation of the unsteady aerodynamic coefficients was reduced by the simple strategy of appropriately ordering the computations. Speedup and efficiency results are presented for the calculation of the matched flutter point of an experimental propfan model. The results show that efficiencies above 70 percent can be obtained using the present implementation with 7 processors. The parallel computational strategy described here is also applicable to other aeroelastic analysis procedures based on parallel methods.

Murthy, Durbha V.↗

Concurrent processing adaptation of aeroelastic analysis of propfans

Discussed here is a study involving the adaptation of an advanced aeroelastic analysis program to run concurrently on a shared memory multiple processor computer. The program uses a three-dimensional compressible unsteady aerodynamic model and blade normal modes to calculate aeroelastic stability and response of propfan blades. The identification of the computational parallelism within the sequential code and the scheduling of the concurrent subtasks to minimize processor idle time are discussed. Processor idle time in the calculation of the unsteady aerodynamic coefficients was reduced by the simple strategy of appropriately ordering the computations. Speedup and efficiency results are presented for the calculation of the matched flutter point of an experimental propfan model. The results show that efficiencies above 70 percent can be obtained using the present implementation with 7 processors. The parallel computational strategy described here is also applicable to other aeroelastic analysis procedures based on panel methods.

Murthy, D. V.↗

Aero-Structural Interaction, Analysis, and Shape Sensitivity

A multidisciplinary sensitivity analysis technique that has been shown to be independent of step-size selection is examined further. The accuracy of this step-size independent technique, which uses complex variables for determining sensitivity derivatives, has been previously established. The primary focus of this work is to validate the aero-structural analysis procedure currently being used. This validation consists of comparing computed and experimental data obtained for an Aeroelastic Research Wing (ARW-2). Since the aero-structural analysis procedure has the complex variable modifications already included into the software, sensitivity derivatives can automatically be computed. Other than for design purposes, sensitivity derivatives can be used for predicting the solution at nearby conditions. The use of sensitivity derivatives for predicting the aero-structural characteristics of this configuration is demonstrated.

Newman, James C., III↗

Simulation of unsteady rotational flow over propfan configuration

During the past decade, aircraft engine manufacturers and scientists at NASA have worked on extending the high propulsive efficiency of a classical propeller to higher cruise Mach numbers. The resulting configurations use highly swept twisted and very thin blades to delay the drag divergence Mach number. Unfortunately, these blades are also susceptible to aeroelastic instabilities. This was observed for some advanced propeller configurations in wind tunnel tests at NASA Lewis Research Center, where the blades fluttered at cruise speeds. To address this problem and to understand the flow phenomena and the solid fluid interaction involved, a research effort was initiated at Georgia Institute of Technology in 1986, under the support of the Structural Dynamics Branch of the NASA Lewis Research Center. The objectives of this study are: (1) the development of solution procedures and computer codes capable of predicting the aeroelastic characteristics of modern single and counter-rotation propellers; and (2) the use of these solution procedures to understand physical phenomena such as stall flutter, transonic flutter, and divergence.

Srivastava, Rakesh↗

A parametric study of planform and aeroelastic effects on aerodynamic center, alpha- and q- stability derivatures. Appendix B: Method for computing the strucutral influence coefficient matrix of nonplanar wing body tail configurations

The method used in computing the structural influence coefficient matrix of the computer program of Reference 1 (appendix A of the Summary Report) is reported. This matrix is computed for complete wing-body-tail configurations by assuming that all major airplane components can be structurally represented by a slender beam called the elastic axis. A structural influence coefficient is defined as the rotation about the Y-stability axis at panel j induced by a unit load on panel k. A description of how a structural breakdown is performed in detail is included.

Roskam, J.↗

A parametric study of planform and aeroelastic effects on aerodynamic center, alpha- and q- stability derivatives. Appendix C: Method for computing the aerodynamic influence coefficient matrix of nonplanar wing-body-tail configurations

Expressions are derived for computing the aerodynamic influence coefficient matrix for nonplanar wing-body-tail configurations. An aerodynamic influence coefficient is defined as the load in lbs. induced on a panel as a result of a unit angle of attack on another panel. Fuselage, wing and tail thickness are assumed to be small with the result that the thickness effect on the flow-field is negligible. The method for determining the aerodynamic influence coefficient matrix is based on the lifting solution to the small perturbation, steady potential flow equation.

Roskam, J.↗

Shock Location Dominated Transonic Flight Loads on the Active Aeroelastic Wing

During several Active Aeroelastic Wing research flights, the shadow of the over-wing shock could be observed because of natural lighting conditions. As the plane accelerated, the shock location moved aft, and as the shadow passed the aileron and trailing-edge flap hinge lines, their associated hinge moments were substantially affected. The observation of the dominant effect of shock location on aft control surface hinge moments led to this investigation. This report investigates the effect of over-wing shock location on wing loads through flight-measured data and analytical predictions. Wing-root and wing-fold bending moment and torque and leading- and trailing-edge hinge moments have been measured in flight using calibrated strain gages. These same loads have been predicted using a computational fluid dynamics code called the Euler Navier-Stokes Three Dimensional Aeroelastic Code. The computational fluid dynamics study was based on the elastically deformed shape estimated by a twist model, which in turn was derived from in-flight-measured wing deflections provided by a flight deflection measurement system. During level transonic flight, the shock location dominated the wing trailing-edge control surface hinge moments. The computational fluid dynamics analysis based on the shape provided by the flight deflection measurement system produced very similar results and substantially correlated with the measured loads data.

Lokos, William A.↗

Three-Dimensional Aeroelastic and Aerothermoelastic Behavior in Hypersonic Flow

The aeroelastic and aerothermoelastic behavior of three-dimensional configurations in hypersonic flow regime are studied. The aeroelastic behavior of a low aspect ratio wing, representative of a fin or control surface on a generic hypersonic vehicle, is examined using third order piston theory, Euler and Navier-Stokes aerodynamics. The sensitivity of the aeroelastic behavior generated using Euler and Navier-Stokes aerodynamics to parameters governing temporal accuracy is also examined. Also, a refined aerothermoelastic model, which incorporates the heat transfer between the fluid and structure using CFD generated aerodynamic heating, is used to examine the aerothermoelastic behavior of the low aspect ratio wing in the hypersonic regime. Finally, the hypersonic aeroelastic behavior of a generic hypersonic vehicle with a lifting-body type fuselage and canted fins is studied using piston theory and Euler aerodynamics for the range of 2.5 less than or equal to M less than or equal to 28, at altitudes ranging from 10,000 feet to 80,000 feet. This analysis includes a study on optimal mesh selection for use with Euler aerodynamics. In addition to the aeroelastic and aerothermoelastic results presented, three time domain flutter identification techniques are compared, namely the moving block approach, the least squares curve fitting method, and a system identification technique using an Auto-Regressive model of the aeroelastic system. In general, the three methods agree well. The system identification technique, however, provided quick damping and frequency estimations with minimal response record length, and therefore o ers significant reductions in computational cost. In the present case, the computational cost was reduced by 75%. The aeroelastic and aerothermoelastic results presented illustrate the applicability of the CFL3D code for the hypersonic flight regime.

McNamara, Jack J.↗

Effects of viscosity on transonic-aerodynamic and aeroelastic characteristics of oscillating airfoils

Studies were made to investigate the effects of viscosity on aerodynamic and aeroelastic characteristics of oscillating airfoils. The computer code LTRAN2 (viscous), which is based on a small disturbance aerodynamic theory, was used to make aerodynamic computations. Two viscous models, the viscous-ramp model and the lag-entrainment model were considered. The unsteady viscous effects were obtained by use of the quasi-steady assumptions. Two cases, a conventional airfoil, NACA 64A010, and a supercritical airfoil, MBB-A3, were studied at Mach numbers 0.796 and 0.7557, respectively. For both the airfoils, steady and unsteady aerodynamic computations were made by using inviscid and viscous theories. The steady and the unsteady results for the NACA 64A010 airfoil and the steady results for the MBB-A3 airfoil were compared with the available wind-tunnel results. Flutter speeds were computed for both airfoils by using the U-g method and the effects of viscosity on the airfoils were studied. Results from the viscous methods show improvements over the inviscid method.

Guruswamy, P.↗

Overview of NASA PTA propfan flight test program

During the last several years high-speed propellers have made the transition from a wind tunnel curiosity to a very likely near-term, fuel-efficient propulsion system that could revolutionize the subsonic commercial air transport industry. A key ingredient in this remarkable progress is the advanced turboprop industry. Working together, NASA and industry have developed and flight tested two propeller propulsion systems to provide answers to key technical questions and concerns. An industry team is currently developing a third propeller propulsion system for flight testing late this year. The progress of one of the NASA-industry flight test programs, called the Propfan Test Assessment (PTA) Program is reported. In PTA, a 9 foot diameter propfan was installed on the left wing of a Gulfstream GII executive jet and is undergoing extensive flight testing at Dobbins Air Force Base to evaluate propfan structural integrity, near and far field noise, and cabin interior noise characteristics. This research testing includes variations in propeller tip speed and power loading, nacelle tilt angle, and aircraft Mach number and altitude. As a result, extensive parametric data will be obtained to verify and improve computer codes for predicting propeller structural aeroelastic, aerodynamic, and acoustic characteristics. Over 600 measurements are being recorded for each of approximately 600 flight test conditions.

Graber, Edwin J.↗