Application of unsteady aerodynamic methods for transonic aeroelastic analysis

Aerodynamic methods for aeroelastic analysis are applied to various flow problems. These methods include those that solve the three dimensional transonic small disturbance (TSD) potential equation, the two dimensional (2-D) full potential (FP) equation, and the 2-D thin layer Navier-Stokes equations. Flutter analysis performed using TSD aerodynamics show that such methods can be used to analyze some aeroelastic phenomena. For thicker bodies and larger amplitude motions, a nonisentropic FP method is presented. The unsteady FP equation is modified to model the entropy jumps across shock waves. The conservative form of the modified equation is solved in generalized coordinates using an implicit, approximate factorization method. Pressures calculated on the NLR 7301 and NACA 64A010A airfoils using the nonisentropic FP method are presented. It is shown that modeling shock generated entropy extends the range of validity of the FP method. A Navier-Stokes code is correlated with pressures measured on a supercritical airfoil at transonic speeds. When corrections are made for wind tunnel wall effects, the calculations correlate well with the measured data

Application of a full potential method to AGARD standard airfoils

One of the most important uses of method that calculate unsteady aerodynamic loads is to predict and analyze the aeroelastic responses of flight vehicles. Currently, methods based on transonic small disturbance potential aerodynamics are the primary tools for aeroelastic analysis. Flow solutions obtained using isentropic potential theory can be highly inaccurate and even multivalued, because they do not model the effects of entropy that is produced when shock waves are in the flow field. From the results that are presented, it is concluded that nonisentropic potential methods more accurately model Euler solutions than do isentropic methods. The primary effects of modeling shock generated entropy are: (1) to eliminate mulitple flow solutions when strong shock waves are in the flow field; and (2) to bring the strengths and locations of computed shock waves into better agreement with those calculated using Euler method and those measured during experiments

XTRAN2L: A program for solving the general-frequency unsteady transonic small disturbance equation

A program, XTRAN2L, for solving the general-frequency unsteady transonic small disturbance potential equation was developed. It is a modification of the LTRAN2-NLR code. The alternating-direction-implicit (ADI) method of Rizzetta and Chin is used to advance solutions of the potential equation in time Engquist-Osher monotone spatial differencing is used in the ADI solution algorithm. As a result, the XTRAN2L code is more robust and more efficient than similar codes that use Murman-Cole type-dependent spatial differencing. Nonreflecting boundary conditions that are consistent with the general-frequency equation have been developed and implemented at the far-field boundaries. Use of those conditions allow the computational boundaries to be moved closer to the airfoil with no loss of accuracy. This makes the XTRAN2L code more economical to use

Application of a nonisentropic full potential method to AGARD standard airfoils

An entropy-correction method for the unsteady full potential equation is presented. The unsteady potential equation is modified to model the entropy jumps across shock waves. The conservative form of the modified equation is solved in generalized coordinates using an implicit, approximate factorization method. A flux-biasing differencing method, which generates the proper amounts of artificial viscosity in supersonic regions, is used to discretize the flow equations in space. Calculated results are presented for the NLR 7301, NACA 0012, and NACA 64A010A airfoils. Comparisons of the present method and solutions of the Euler equations are presented for the NLR 7301 airfoil, and comparisons of the present method and experimental data are presented for all three airfoils. The comparisons show that the present method more accurately models solutions of the Euler equations and experiment than does the isentropic potential formulation. In addition, it is shown that modeling shock-generated entropy extends the range of validity of the full potential method

Effects of airplane characteristics and takeoff noise and field length constraints on engine cycle selection for a Mach 2.32 cruise application

Sideline noise and takeoff field length were varied for two types of Mach 2.32 cruise airplane to determine their effect on engine cycle selection. One of these airplanes was the NASA/Langley-LTV arrow wing while the other was a Boeing modified delta-plus-tail derived from the earlier 2707-300 concept. Advanced variable cycle engines were considered. A more conventional advanced low bypass turbofan engine was used as a baseline for comparison. Appropriate exhaust nozzle modifications were assumed, where needed, to allow all engines to receive either an inherent co-annular or annular jet noise suppression benefit. All the VCE's out-performed the baseline engine by substantial margins in a design range comparison, regardless of airplane choice or takeoff restrictions. The choice among the three VCE's considered, however, depends on the field length, noise level, and airplane selected

Airplane size and staging effects on SST cruise sonic boom

Performance requirements and economic costs to reduce cruise sonic boom of supersonic transpor

Application of a transonic potential flow code to the static aeroelastic analysis of three-dimensional wings

Since the aerodynamic theory is nonlinear, the method requires the coupling of two iterative processes - an aerodynamic analysis and a structural analysis. A full potential analysis code, FLO22, is combined with a linear structural analysis to yield aerodynamic load distributions on and deflections of elastic wings. This method was used to analyze an aeroelastically-scaled wind tunnel model of a proposed executive-jet transport wing and an aeroelastic research wing. The results are compared with the corresponding rigid-wing analyses, and some effects of elasticity on the aerodynamic loading are noted

NASA/industry advanced turboprop technology program

Experimental and analytical effort shows that use of advanced turboprop (propfan) propulsion instead of conventional turbofans in the older narrow-body airline fleet could reduce fuel consumption for this type of aircraft by up to 50 percent. The NASA Advanced Turboprop (ATP) program was formulated to address the key technologies required for these thin, swept-blade propeller concepts. A NASA, industry, and university team was assembled to develop and validate applicable design codes and prove by ground and flight test the viability of these propeller concepts. Some of the history of the ATP project, an overview of some of the issues, and a summary of the technology developed to make advanced propellers viable in the high-subsonic cruise speed application are presented. The ATP program was awarded the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy for the greatest achievement in aeronautics and astronautics in America in 1987

NASA advanced turboprop research and concept validation program

NASA has determined by experimental and analytical effort that use of advanced turboprop propulsion instead of the conventional turbofans in the older narrow-body airline fleet could reduce fuel consumption for this type of aircraft by up to 50 percent. In cooperation with industry, NASA has defined and implemented an Advanced Turboprop (ATP) program to develop and validate the technology required for these new high-speed, multibladed, thin, swept propeller concepts. This paper presents an overview of the analysis, model-scale test, and large-scale flight test elements of the program together with preliminary test results, as available

Computational unsteady aerodynamics for aeroelastic analysis

This report summarizes the status of computational unsteady aerodynamics methods for aeroelastic analysis and makes recommendations for future research activities. The flight conditions for which various types of flows exist are described and the aeroelastic phenomena that can occur in those flight regimes are discussed. Some important aeroelastic problems of current interest are described, and the aerodynamic methods needed to analyze them are presented. The capabilities and limitations of existing unsteady aerodynamics methods are discussed. Computer resources required to perform aeroelastic analysis of various flight vehicle configurations are presented. Recommendations for future research are made, and schedules for completion of proposed research tasks are presented