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Computational Aerodynamics

The document discusses the unsteady vortex-lattice method as a medium-fidelity tool for predicting non-stationary aerodynamic loads in low-speed, high-Reynolds-number conditions, highlighting its advantages over traditional methods like the doublet-lattice method. It reviews the methodology's historical development, practical applications, and integration with nonlinear beam models for flexible aircraft dynamics. The paper emphasizes the importance of this method in capturing complex aerodynamic behaviors and its potential for enhancing aeroelasticity and flight dynamics analysis.

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9 views5 pages

Computational Aerodynamics

The document discusses the unsteady vortex-lattice method as a medium-fidelity tool for predicting non-stationary aerodynamic loads in low-speed, high-Reynolds-number conditions, highlighting its advantages over traditional methods like the doublet-lattice method. It reviews the methodology's historical development, practical applications, and integration with nonlinear beam models for flexible aircraft dynamics. The paper emphasizes the importance of this method in capturing complex aerodynamic behaviors and its potential for enhancing aeroelasticity and flight dynamics analysis.

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مهند الصغير
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Computational Aerodynamics

‫ بنغازي‬- ‫كلية تقنية الهندسة الميكانيكية‬

Unsteady Vortex – Lattice Method

Prepared By : ‫مهند صالح محمد الصغي‬


Number OF Student : 202026
Major : Aerospace Engineering
Date : 22nd of Jan 2024
The unsteady vortex-lattice method provides a medium-fidelity tool for
the prediction of non-stationary aerodynamic loads in low-speed, but
high-Reynolds-number, attached flow conditions. Despite a proven track
record in applications where free-wake modelling is critical, other less-
computationally expensive potential-flow models, such as the doublet-
lattice method and strip theory, have long been favoured in fixed-wing
aircraft aeroelasticity and flight dynamics. This paper presents how the
unsteady vortex-lattice method can be implemented as an enhanced
alternative to those techniques for diverse situations that arise in
flexible-aircraft dynamics. A historical review of the methodology is
included, with latest developments and practical applications. Different
formulations of the aerodynamic equations are outlined, and they are
integrated with a nonlinear beam model for the full description of the
dynamics of a free-flying flexible vehicle. Nonlinear time-marching
solutions capture large wing excursions and wake roll-up, and the
linearisation of the equations lends itself to a seamless, monolithic state-
space assembly, particularly convenient for stability analysis and flight
control system design. The numerical studies emphasise scenarios
where the unsteady vortex-lattice method can provide an advantage
over other state-of-the-art approaches. Examples of this include
unsteady aerodynamics in vehicles with coupled aeroelasticity and flight
dynamics, and in lifting surfaces undergoing complex kinematics, large
deformations, or in-plane motions. Geometric nonlinearities are shown
to play an instrumental, and often counter-intuitive, role in the aircraft
dynamics. The unsteady vortex-lattice method is unveiled as a
remarkable tool that can successfully incorporate all those effects in the
unsteady aerodynamics modelling.

Introduction

Unsteady aerodynamics based on potential-flow theory has long


furnished the basic foundation in low-speed aircraft aeroelasticity and
dynamic-load analysis. The doublet-lattice method [1], in particular, has
long been the fundamental tool of the aeroelastic community, and has
provided a robust approach for non-stationary aerodynamic prediction,
although simpler approaches based on strip theory and indicial functions
are still used at the conceptual level [2]. However, the applicability of
the existing design tools is being stretched as novel concepts are
developed and conventional vehicles see their wing stiffness
substantially reduced. Aircraft with coupled aeroelasticity and flight
dynamics, and lifting surfaces undergoing complex kinematic motions or
large deformations are becoming customary, requiring a new paradigm
for modelling, analysis, and control synthesis. The unsteady vortex-
lattice method, an aerodynamic model with a long and successful track
record, can be re-engineered to provide again an advantageous
alternative in many of these scenarios.

At low subsonic speeds, 3D unsteady potential-flow methods provide


excellent tools for aerodynamic analysis: without incurring excessive
computational costs, they incorporate 3D effects, interference and wake
modelling. These methods, however, are not appropriate when the wing
enters stalled conditions, to predict viscous drag, or at low Reynolds
number. Neither are they adequate at very high altitudes, potentially
within the range of operations of HALE UAVs, due to dominance of
rarefied flow effects. Note however that the critical load conditions will
occur during climb and descent operations in the lower atmosphere,
which is the scope of aeroelastic analysis.

Section snippets

Unsteady incompressible potential-flow methods :

Potential theory is an elegant, well developed, and widely used concept


in many branches of physics. In the context of fluid dynamics, it
constitutes the foundation of low-speed aerodynamics, and, as such, it is
described in detail in most textbooks [62], [117], [118], [119]. It is thus
not the aim of this section to give a thorough mathematical derivation of
potential-flow theory, but just a quick overview of the basic ideas as
they apply to low-speed aerodynamics .
Unsteady aerodynamics for flexible-aircraft dynamics :

It is deduced from the discussion above, on the one hand, that lifting-
line or strip theory have a limited range of applications (both in the
geometry and in the wing dynamics), while, on the other hand, surface
panel methods that include wing thickness provide little actual
modelling advantage for unsteady aerodynamics at subsonic speeds.
Consequently, aero elastic modelling based on potential-flow theory has
overwhelmingly relied on lifting-surface methods.

Flexible-body dynamics :

A small digression is needed at this stage to introduce the elastic and


rigid-body equations of motion that are required to describe the
dynamics of the flexible vehicle. This section summarises the state-of-
the-art in these disciplines.

Multidisciplinary integration :

When referring in previous sections to traditional methods for aircraft


dynamics, it has been insisted upon that habitually, following the
frequency separation approach, aeroelasticity and flight mechanics are
studied as independent blocks. The modules are then assembled using
interpolation matrices, and adjustments might be made to account for
elasticity in the rigid-body equations or vice versa. Assuming that the
mean axes assumption holds .
Numerical examples :

By integrating the unsteady aerodynamics with the flexible-body


dynamics equations, the full aeroelastic and flight dynamics
characterisation of the vehicle is completed. Other external forces, in
particular, gravity forces, can also be included into the equations of
motion. Different solution approaches can then be defined, including:
tightly coupled static aeroelasticity, trim, asymptotic and Lyapunov
stability, and open- and closed-loop dynamics simulations.

Conclusions and outlook

The steady vortex-lattice method is a well-known incompressible


potential-flow technique that has been, and still is, extensively used for
low-speed-flight calculations. In contrast, the unsteady version has been
largely overlooked in fixed-wing aircraft dynamics modelling, and has
been mostly exercised in other disciplines, such as rotorcraft, wind
turbines or flapping-wing vehicle analysis. The double lattice is the
reigning tool in linear aeroelasticity, and 2D strip theory has been
favoured .

Acknowledgements

Part of this work was carried out during a placement of the first author
at the Active Aeroelasticity and Structures Research Laboratory,
University of Michigan, led by Professor C.E.S. Cesnik. His support,
advice, and guidance are greatly appreciated. The authors would also
like to thank Henrik Hesse of Imperial College London for his
contributions on the flexible-body dynamics model. Finally, Joseba
Murua gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Department
of Education .

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