Dissertation Defense: Aero-Propulso-Elasticity Analysis of a Commercial Supersonic Transport

Committee Members

• Dr. Jack McNamara, Chair (MAE)
• Dr. Jen-Ping Chen (MAE)
• Dr. Rebecca Dupaix (MAE)
• Dr. Andrea Serrani (ECE)
• Dr. Walter Silva

Abstract

An aeroelastic modeling capability of a flexible aircraft with gas turbine engines is developed using a computational fluid dynamics tool as an integration platform. The new modeling capability allows for the typical aeroelastic analysis to include a nonlinear dynamic model of the turbomachinery that is capable of capturing relevant gas dynamics. An example case of the aero-propulso-elastic modeling capability is explored for a commercial supersonic transport vehicle with turbofan engines. An overview of the methodology for integrating the propulsion system and elastic vehicle is presented. This is followed by a trade study to explore coupling sensitivities compared against typical aeroelastic analysis. Dynamic and static vehicle responses are presented across key flight conditions and vehicle-level angles of attack, where the inclusion of the propulsion system has a 10 % increase in vehicle wing tip deformations. Perceived loudness, a key performance metric for a supersonic transport, is investigated using the aero-propulso-elastic coupled model leading to an approximately 4 dB increase in noise over a rigid body analysis that neglects the propulsion system. By including the propulsion system in the analysis the greatest impacts are shown in off nominal conditions, suggesting that this modeling approach would provide benefit in analysis for vehicle maneuvers.