Aeroelasticity in MSC.

Nastran

Hybrid Static Aeroelasticity new capabilities - CFD data management

Presented By: Fausto Gill Di Vincenzo
04-06-2012
 Hybrid Static Aeroelastic Solution with CFD data
MSC.Nastran 2010 new capabilities into Static Aeroelasticity - Sol144
Input of CFD Aerodynamic Pressures on a Rigid Aerodynamic Mesh
AEPRESS/DMIJ & AEGRID/AEQUAD4/AETRIA3 Cards
New 6 DOF Load Mapping Technology
SPLINE 6/7 Cards

Automatic Procedure developed for Hybrid Static Aeroelastic Simulation

Mathematical algorithm to convert CFD pressure into DMIJ cards (Nastran input)
(PYTHON language)

Steady 1-g Load (TRIM analysis) using external Aerodynamic Pressure

By carrying out a CFD simulation (covered in this presentation)

By using Wind Tunnel Test data

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 Hybrid Static Aeroelasticity Solution with CFD data
Use of pressures which come from an external source
(CFD analysis / Wind Tunnel Tests)
(Only available in Static Aeroelasticity Sol144 or Sol200 with ANALYSIS=SAERO option)

An aerodynamic mesh is to be created in terms of AEGRID, AEQUAD4/AETRIA3 Cards

Aerodynamic Pressure applied at the aerodynamic grid points AEGRID by using AEPRESS/DMIJ Cards
Mathematical procedure developed in python automatically converts CFD pressures into DMIJ

Nastran transforms pressure load to forces at AEGRIDs and maps them on the structure (SPLINE6/SPLINE7 Cards)

CFD
Aerodynamic Mesh extracted from NASTRAN
CFD code (AEGRID, AEQUAD..)
Rigid Aerodynamic Mesh with Target FE model with
mapped FORCEs mapped FORCEs

AEPRESS SPLINE 6/7

Aerodynamic Mesh

DMIJ Load
Fringe of Nodad forces Mapping Structural Model

Nastran transforms Pressures in Load mapped on user-defined

Forces on aerodynamic Grids structural grids

CFD Results
Static Pressure Field on the Wing
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 Hybrid Static Aeroelasticity Solution with CFD data
Yacovlev Yak112 UAV Model
Application Test Case - UAV TRIM Analysis Sol144

Flight condition parametres Free trim variables

M=0.07 Sea Level Angle of attack
Straight and level case under 1g loading Angle of Elevator
Flight velocity 25 m/s
q=382 Pa

CAD Model - Ortho View Tuned NASTRAN model - Ortho View

FE Model
Nastran
Structural Model
Optimization
by Sol 200

Static Pressure field evaluated by CFD and UVLM codes

1. Aerodynamic Pressures by Fluent mesh-based CFD code - Only left Wings (Tail & Elevator by UVLM)
2. Aerodynamic Pressures by Xflow meshless CFD code - Only left Wings (Tail & Elevator by UVLM)
3. Aerodynamic Pressures by UVLM code (ZONA Technology) - Wings, Tail & Elevator (beta testing)

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 Nastran FE Structural Model
MD Nastran Structural Model

Side View

Front View Ortho View

The UAV structural model consists of: Wing Area 0.948 m2

Plate for Fuselage, Wings, Fin, Rudder, Tail, Elevator, Spar Full Span 2.36 m
Beam for Wing Braces Chord 0.402 m
Lumped mass for Engine System
Weight 134.394 N
Cruise Velocity 25 m/s

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 Validation - Modal tuning through Sol 200

Modal tuning of the structural model via SOL 200

An internal OPTIMIZATION TOOL of MD Nastran has been used to built a

numerical finite element model that accurately represents the structural
dynamic behavior of the experimantal model

SOL 200 has been exploited to perform the modal optimization

An error function based on the lowest four natural frequencies of the structure has
been defined as objective function 2

(f f i ex )
4
The error function to be minimized is defined as: e = i
num

i =1

The chosen design variables are the elastic parameters of the orthotropic material
Density has been kept constant in order to obtain the actual mass of the UAV

The MODAL TRACKING allows to follow each natural frequency in the

different optimization cycles.
Modal Assurance Criterion is internally used to do it

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 Structural Modal Tuning - Sol200
IFASD-2009-166 AEROELASTIC SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION OF A FLYING UAV IN OPERATIVE CONDITIONS

Modal tuning of the structural model via SOL 200 - Modal tracking
Correlated Structural Modes - Frequencies Modal Assurance Criterion (MAC)

Mode shape comparison

Correlated mode shapes - Num

Correlated mode shapes Exp

After the optimization process the sequence of the numerical natural

frequencies is exactly the same than that one of the experimental ones
 Hybrid Static Aeroelasticity Solution with CFD data
1 CFD Analysis performed with Fluent

Air flowing over the Left Wing of the UAV

Freestreem velocity is 25 m/s
AOA [ 0 8]
Sea level values for the freestream properties (Inviscid flow)

Mesh - Computational Domain Boundary Condition Static Pressure field

Symmetry

Wall
Far Field

Ortho View

Cutting Plane

Three different flight conditions have been performed to create the Rigid Wing Aerodynamic data base

AOA = 0

AOA = 4 Wetted element pressures from CFD Python code Nastran DMIJ

AOA = 8 (Vector and Matrices operation Algorithm)

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 Hybrid Static Aeroelasticity Solution with CFD data
CFD Model Structural Model & CFD Model

From CFD code

Matrix/Vector Normal vectors on Nodes

operation on Pressure Aerodynamic
OUTPUT Getting all Cp
FLUENT Component Matrix (DMIJ)
Nastran input

to Nastran Structural Solver

Undeformed Aerodynamic Mesh Aerodynamic load mapped on structure

with CFD Aerodynamic load

SPLINE 6

AEGRID/AEQUAD4 FE

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 From CFD pressure to DMIJ
Input of CFD Aerodynamic Pressure on Rigid Aerodynamic Mesh - Validation case (0 Degrees AOA)

Fluent - Wetted elements wall Fluent - Coefficient pressure field Fluent - Force report

MIN =- 0.597
FZ = 14.167403 N

Wetted elements transformed into AEGRID/AEQUAD4 - Rigid Aerodynamic Mesh

Pressures on wetted elements transformed into AEGRID Cp - DMIJ (Direct Matrix Input at js-Set of the Rigid Aero Mesh)
Aerodynamic monitor point to check the mapped load on rigid aerodynamic mesh Aero database

Nastran - Rigid Aerodynamic Mesh Nastran - Cp on AEGRID (DMIJ) Nastran - Aero monitor point
MAX = 0.596

AEGRID/AEQUAD4 Z - COMPONENT FZ = 14.17238 N

Right Aerodynamic pressure distrubution got by Nastran
Automatic process developed in python (SimXpert Customization..)
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 From CFD pressure to DMIJ
CFD
Nastran Load Mapping check for 4- 8 Monitor Point Application

Aerodynamic Pressure mapping - 4 degrees of Angle of Attack

Fluent Simulation - Force in Z direction Nastran Rigid Trim Analysis - Monitor Point

FZ
61.355213 N
FZ
61.29341 N

Aerodynamic Pressure mapping - 8 degrees of Angle of Attack

Fluent Simulation - Force in Z direction Nastran Rigid Trim Analysis - Monitor Point

FZ
106.68246 N
FZ
106.5416 N

Aerodynamic Load is well mapped on the Aero Mesh

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 Hybrid Static Aeroelasticity Solution with CFD data
RIGID/Flexible Mesh Concepts

Nastran support the ability to generate the rigid aerodynamic loads on one mesh while the aeroelastic
increment is generated from a second mesh. Separate Rigid and Flexible Aero Meshes needed.

Rigid Aerodynamic Mesh Flexible Aerodynamic Mesh

AEGRID/AEQUAD4 Aero Boxes CAERO1 Cards

Aerodynamics database given by Fluent Analysis Aerodynamics given by DLM

AOA 0 8 First run Subsequent run

Rigid Aerodynamic Loads

+ Aeroelastic Increment

Hybrid Static Aeroelasticity Solution (Sol144) with CFD Pressure data

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 Rigid Aerodynamic TRIM with CFD pressure Data
Nastran Solution (Rigid Aerodynamic data base given by Fluent at [048])
TRIM Variables identified - AOA & Elevator Deflection
AOA

4.185

The Aircraft is in level flights at 25 m/s with an AOA of about 4.285and Elevator deflection of about 1.252
Aerodynamic Load - Aero Monitor Point on the Left Wing Rigid Aerodynamic database

FZ

63.04 N
Fluent Solution
)
Aerodynamic Load - CFD Solution ( 4.185

FZ Thickness and positive camber effect

63.52 N

Nastran Aerodynamic Load is in good accordance with CFD Solution!

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 Hybrid Aeroelastic TRIM with CFD Pressure Data
Sol144 TRIM Results Overview - Comparison

Hybrid Rigid-Flexible Mesh Approach (Rigid Aerodynamic given by CFD Flexible increment given by DLM)
AOA

4.44

Standard DLM Approach - (Rigid Aerodynamic given by DLM Flexible increment given by DLM)
AOA

5.86

Trim solution evaluated by using CFD data pressure leads to a value of the AOA lower
then that one given by DLM approach

Static Aerodynamic effect due to Airfoil geometry (Camber, thickness) taken into account tanks to
the Rigid Aerodynamic database

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 Hybrid Static Aeroelasticity Solution with CFD data
2 CFD Analysis performed with XFlow

Air flowing over the Left Wing of the UAV

Freestreem velocity is 25 m/s
AOA [ 0 8]
Sea level values for the freestream properties (Inviscid flow)

Computational Domain Boundary Condition

Static Pressure at =0

Wall Far Field

Ortho View

Cutting Plane

Three different flight conditions have been performed to create the Rigid Wing Aerodynamic data base

AOA = 0

AOA = 4 Vertex coefficient pressures from CFD Python code Nastran DMIJ

AOA = 8 (Vector and Matrices operation Algorithm)

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 From CFD Coefficient pressure to DMIJ
Input of CFD Coefficient Pressure on Rigid Aerodynamic Mesh - Validation case (0 Degrees AOA)
FE Model XFlow - STL Geometry XFlow - Pressure Coefficient field

CQUAD4 & CTRIA3 Vertex & Polygons XFlow

XFlow Force in Z direction

From CAD to FE Model (CQUAD4 & CTRIA3) via SimXpert or Patran
From FEM to STL Geometry (Vertex & Polygons) and Aero Mesh (AEGRID..) FZ = 16.80 N
CFD simulation and Cp field extracted from Xflow on Vertex
From XFlow Cp to DMIJ - Python code
Aerodynamic Monitor point to check the mapped Aerodynamic load
Nastran - Rigid Aerodynamic Mesh Nastran - Cp on AEGRID (DMIJ) Nastran - Aero monitor point

AEGRID/AEQUAD4 Z - Component FZ = 17.28 N

Aerodynamic pressure is quite well mapped on the Rigid Aerodynamic Mesh..

To be improved by increasing Resolved Scale and Geometry quality
 From CFD Coefficient pressure to DMIJ
CFD
Nastran Load Mapping check for 4- 8 Monitor Point Application

Aerodynamic Pressure mapping - 4 degrees of Angle of Attack

XFlow Simulation - Force in Z direction Nastran Rigid Trim Analysis - Monitor Point
FZ
60.67 N

FZ 62.12 N

Aerodynamic Pressure mapping - 8 degrees of Angle of Attack

XFlow Simulation - Force in Z direction Nastran Rigid Trim Analysis - Monitor Point

FZ
109.5 N

FZ 107.17 N

Aerodynamic Load is quite well mapped on the structure

To be improved by increasing Resolved Scale and Geometry quality
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 Hybrid Static Aeroelasticity Solution with CFD data
RIGID/Flexible Mesh Concepts
Nastran support the ability to generate the rigid aerodynamic loads on one mesh while the aeroelastic
increment is generated from a second mesh. Separate Rigid and Flexible Aero Meshes needed.

Rigid Aerodynamic Mesh Flexible Aerodynamic Mesh

AEGRID/AEQUAD4 Aero Boxes CAERO1 Cards

Aerodynamics database given by XFlow Analysis Aerodynamics given by DLM

AOA 0 8 First run Subsequent run

Rigid Aerodynamic Loads

+ Aeroelastic Increment

Hybrid Static Aeroelasticity Solution (Sol144) with CFD Pressure data

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 Hybrid Aeroelastic TRIM with CFD Pressure Data
Sol144 TRIM Results Overview Comparison

Hybrid Rigid-Flexible Mesh Approach (Rigid Aerodynamic given by CFD Flexible increment given by DLM)
AOA

4.31

Standard DLM Approach - (Rigid Aerodynamic given by DLM Flexible increment given by DLM)
AOA

5.86

Trim solution evaluated by using CFD data pressure leads to a value of the AOA lower
then that one given by DLM approach
Static Aerodynamic effect due to Airfoil geometry (Camber, thickness) taken into account tanks to
the Rigid Aerodynamic database

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 Hybrid Static Aeroelasticity Solution with CFD data
3 Aerodynamics performed with UVLM

Air flowing over the the entire model of the UAV

Freestreem velocity is 25 m/s
AOA [ 0 8]
Sea level values for the freestream properties (Inviscid flow)

UVLM Aerodynamic Model

Static Pressure distriutionat =0
Free vortex wake
Vortices shed

Ortho View

Wetted Panels - Ortho View Wetted Panels - Side View

AOA = 0
Pressure Data export
AOA = 4

AOA = 8
Rigid Aerodynamic Mesh Rigid Aerodynamic Mesh

Free wake formation

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 From CFD pressure to DMIJ
CFD
Nastran Load Mapping check for 0- 4 Monitor Point Application

Aerodynamic Pressure mapping - 4 degrees of Angle of Attack

UVLM Simulation - Force in Z direction Nastran Rigid Trim Analysis - Monitor Point

FZ 21.3592 N

FZ 21.3583 N

Aerodynamic Pressure mapping - 8 degrees of Angle of Attack

UVLM Simulation - Force in Z direction Nastran Rigid Trim Analysis - Monitor Point

FZ 60.4669 N

FZ 60.4681 N

Aerodynamic Load is well mapped on the structure

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 Hybrid Static Aeroelasticity Solution with CFD data
RIGID/Flexible Mesh Concepts
Nastran support the ability to generate the rigid aerodynamic loads on one mesh while the aeroelastic
increment is generated from a second mesh. Separate Rigid and Flexible Aero Meshes needed.

Rigid Aerodynamic Mesh Flexible Aerodynamic Mesh

AEGRID/AEQUAD4 Aero Boxes CAERO1 Cards

Aerodynamics database given by UVLM Analysis Aerodynamics given by DLM

AOA 0 8 First run Subsequent run

Rigid Aerodynamic Loads

+ Aeroelastic Increment

Hybrid Static Aeroelasticity Solution (Sol144) with CFD Pressure data

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 Hybrid Aeroelastic TRIM with UVLM Pressure Data
Sol144 TRIM Results Overview Comparison

Hybrid Rigid-Flexible Mesh Approach (Rigid Aerodynamic given by UVLM Flexible increment given by DLM)
AOA

4.28

Standard DLM Approach - (Rigid Aerodynamic given by DLM Flexible increment given by DLM)
AOA

5.86

Trim solution evaluated by using UVLM data pressure leads to a value of the AOA
lower then that one given by DLM approach

Static Aerodynamic effect due to Airfoil geometry (Camber, thickness) taken into account tanks to
the Rigid Aerodynamic database

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 Concluding Remarks
It is now possible to use Aerodynamic Pressure data evaluated by a general CFD
or UVLM code in Static Aeroelasticity Analysis Sol 144
The SPLINE6/7 load mapping technology transfers correctly the aerodynamic load
to the structure
Monitor point is an important and essensial tool to check the Aero Load Mapping
A new procedure able to use external aerodynamic pressure in Static
Aeroelasticity has been verified for:
a commercial CFD mesh-based code - Fluent
a commercial CFD meshless code - Xflow MSC.Software
an UVLM code panel method - Zona Technology
A Mathematical algorithm to automatically convert pressures into DMIJ matrix
has been developed by using python programming language
Possible future applications:
Customize all the automatic procedure into SimXpert (python..)
Load mapping of the entire Aircraft

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