Non-linear aeroelastic analysis in the time domain of high-aspect-ratio wings: Effect of chord and taper-ratio variation. (20th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Suleman, A.; Afonso, F.; Vale, J.; Oliveira, É.; Lau, F.
• Is Part Of: Aeronautical journal. Volume 121:Number 1235(2017)
• Page Start: 21
• Page End: 53
• Publication Date: 2016-09-20
• Subjects: Aeroelasticity, -- aircraft design, -- non-linear aeroelasticity, -- high-aspect-ratio, -- wing chord, -- and taper-ratio variation; Aeronautics -- Periodicals; 629.1305
• DOI: 10.1017/aer.2016.94
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-9240

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Commercial jets usually have relatively low-aspect-ratio wings, in spite of the associated benefits of increasing the wing aspect-ratio, such as higher lift-to-drag ratios and ranges. This is partially explained by the fact that the wing becomes more flexible by increasing the aspect-ratio that results in higher deflections which can cause aeroelastic instability problems such as flutter. An aeroelastic computational framework capable of evaluating the effects of geometric non-linearities on the aeroelastic performance of high-aspect-ratio wings has been developed and validated using numerical and experimental data. In this work, the aeroelastic performance of a base wing model with 20 m span and 1 m chord is analysed and the effect of changing the wing chord or the taper-ratio is determined. The non-linear static aeroelastic equilibrium solutions are compared in terms of drag polar, root bending moment and natural frequencies, and the change in the flutter speed boundary is assessed as a function of aspect-ratio using a time-marching approach.