Determination via MEF of equilibrium configuration of flexible aerodynamic surfaces using lifting-line and Euler-Bernoulli beam models

• Grant number: 21/02362-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2021
• End date: April 30, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Aerospace Engineering - Aerospace Structures
• Principal Investigator: Ricardo Afonso Angélico
• Grantee: Murilo Caetano da Silva
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The increase of wing aspect ratio in commercial aircraft, the incorporation of new materials, and the use of slender structures result in aerodynamics surfaces that exhibit higher flexibility when compared to aircraft that use previous technologies. The increase in flexibility leads to a change in the aeroelastic behavior compared to rigid configurations. Thus, new multidisciplinary models that require synergy between aerodynamics and structural areas shall be developed. The present research project aims to determine the equilibrium configuration of flexible aerodynamic surfaces by the coupling between aerodynamic and structural models. The Lifting Line Theory is the base for the aerodynamic model, and a piecewise linear function is used to approximate the circulation field. The structural model comprises an Euler-Bernoulli beam model, using a polynomial basis to describe displacements and rotations. The discretization of both problems with the same numeric strategy, viz. the Galerkin method, allows obtaining a finite element that possesses both aerodynamic (circulation) and structural (displacements and rotations) degrees of freedom. The routines will be implemented in Python using object-oriented programming. The model is employed and compared with results reported in the literature. By the end of this project, a monolithic model that describes the stationary behavior of finite wing aeroelastic problems is expected. (AU)