A method for static aeroelastic trim analysis and flight loads computation of a flexible aircraft with large deformations has been presented in this paper,which considers the geometric nonlinearity of the structure and the nonplanar effects of aerodynamics.A nonplanar vortex lattice method is used to compute the nonplanar aerodynamics.The nonlinear finite element method is introduced to consider the structural geometric nonlinearity.Moreover,the surface spline method is used for structure/aerodynamics coupling.Finally,by combining the equilibrium equations of rigid motions of the deformed aircraft,the nonlinear trim problem of the flexible aircraft is solved by iterative method.For instance,the longitudinal trim analysis of a flexible aircraft with large-aspect-ratio wings is carried out by both the nonlinear method presented and the linear method of MSC Flightloads.Results obtained by these two methods are compared,and it is indicated that the results agree with each other when the deformation is small.However,because the linear method of static aeroelastic analysis does not consider the nonplanar aerodynamic effects or structural geometric nonlinearity,it is not applicable as the deformations increase.Whereas the nonlinear method presented could solve the trim problem accurately,even the deformations are large,which makes the nonlinear method suitable for rapid and efficient analysis in engineering practice.It could be used not only in the preliminary stage but also in the detail stage of aircraft design.
A rapid and efficient method for static aeroelastic analysis of a flexible slender wing when considering the structural geometric nonlinearity has been developed in this paper. A non-planar vortex lattice method herein is used to compute the non-planar aerodynamics of flexible wings with large deformation. The finite element method is introduced for structural nonlinear statics analysis. The surface spline method is used for structure/aerodynamics coupling. The static aeroelastic characteristics of the wind tunnel model of a flexible wing are studied by the nonlinear method presented, and the nonlinear method is also evaluated by comparing the results with those obtained from two other methods and the wind tunnel test. The results indicate that the traditional linear method of static aeroelastic analysis is not applicable for cases with large deformation because it produces results that are not realistic. However, the nonlinear methodology, which involves combining the structure finite element method with the non-planar vortex lattice method, could be used to solve the aeroelastic deformation with considerable accuracy, which is in fair agreement with the test results. Moreover, the nonlinear finite element method could consider complex structures. The non-planar vortex lattice method has advantages in both the computational accuracy and efficiency. Consequently, the nonlinear method presented is suitable for the rapid and efficient analysis requirements of engineering practice. It could be used in the preliminary stage and also in the detailed stage of aircraft design.
In this paper,a high-efficiency aerothermoelastic analysis method based on unified hypersonic lifting surface theory is established.The method adopts a two-way coupling form that couples the structure,aerodynamic force,and aerodynamic thermo and heat conduction.The aerodynamic force is first calculated based on unified hypersonic lifting surface theory,and then the Eckert reference temperature method is used to solve the temperature field,where the transient heat conduction is solved using Fourier’s law,and the modal method is used for the aeroelastic correction.Finally,flutter is analyzed based on the p-k method.The aerothermoelastic behavior of a typical hypersonic low-aspect ratio wing is then analyzed,and the results indicate the following:(1)the combined effects of the aerodynamic load and thermal load both deform the wing,which would increase if the flexibility,size,and flight time of the hypersonic aircraft increase;(2)the effect of heat accumulation should be noted,and therefore,the trajectory parameters should be considered in the design of hypersonic flight vehicles to avoid hazardous conditions,such as flutter.
