Investigation and modeling of time variable aerodymaic effects on aircraft contolability (UMTAPS)

Important results from the project

The aim of this project has been to conduct research that lead to an understanding of the mechanisms that drive the time dependent physical phenomena like that of flow transition and separation. The overall goal of the project has been to create possibilities to make accurate predictions of time dependent aerodynamic forces that are induced from the control system in the presence of laminar flow control. Both fast and simple numerical calculations (CFD) and much slower but more advanced CFD calculations have been performed. The results have been compared with wind tunnel tests.

Expected long term effects

A tool for simpler numerical finit-volume calculations with a numerical method for prediction of boundary layer growth and a coupled viscous-inviscid interaction method have been developed. This tool can be used for predicting time-dependent aerodynamic forces. Modifications of a tool for advanced numerical flow calculations have enabled simulations of an oscillating wing for detailed studies of transition. Both of these tools are expected to contribute to increased understanding of the time-dependent aerodynamic forces that arise during flow transition.

Approach and implementation

The project has been devided into three parts, one for fast and simple numerical calculations (CFD), one for slower but more advanced CFD and one using wind tunnel testing. Each one of these have been working with a common research object. This way of working have, by discussions and comparisons of results, led to a better understandig of the research questions and results than if the three pars would have been done separately.Two PhD students have been founded within the project, one who have already defended her PhD thesis. The other will defend his Licentiate thesis in December 2017.