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Aeroelastic wind tunnel model for tail buffeting analysis using rapid prototyping technologies

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Abstract

Modern high-agility aircraft are often subjected to tail buffeting at moderate subsonic Mach numbers and medium to high angles of attack. The excitation of the tail structures through the unsteady flow field can lead to significant structural fatigue and degraded handling qualities. Various methods have been developed for the computational prediction of the phenomenon. The most common approaches use a partitioned coupling of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational Structural Mechanics (CSM) solvers. Despite advances in computational prediction of buffeting wind tunnel models are still essential for buffeting analyses and validation of prediction methods. Flexible wind tunnel models are commonly designed using simple spar structures with covers for the aerodynamic shape or recently with more complex composite structures. In this paper we present the design and development of a flexible wind tunnel model for buffeting analysis using rapid prototyping technologies. 3D-printed flexible model components from polylactide provide enough flexibility to analyze buffeting effects in wind tunnel tests. At the same time, they show sufficient structural strength to withstand buffeting loads. Complex structural layouts and details can easily be manufactured to tailor the structural behavior. Here, we provide a first basis for the application of 3D printed parts for flexible buffeting wind tunnel models. The development of the model with high-fidelity methods of CFD and CSM is presented. Characteristics of the predicted flow field, finite-element modeling of the structural behavior and predicted buffeting loads are discussed. High structural stresses at the attachment points of the flexible model components could be lowered with slight structural modifications. Furthermore, we provide details on the successful manufacturing and instrumentation of the model.

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Acknowledgements

The funding of this investigation within the LUFO VI-1 project INTELWI (Airbus Defence and Space: Investigation of vibration effects on flexible structures in vortex dominated flows—FKZ: 20A1903F; TUM: Experimental investigations and reduced order models for the analysis of aeroelastic vibration effects at vortex dominated flows—FKZ: 20A1903D) by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Acoustics and Vibration, Airbus Defence and Space, Rechliner Strasse, 85077, Manching, Germany

    Lukas Katzenmeier & Alexander Kolb

  2. Department of Structural Dynamics and Aeroelasticity, Airbus Defence and Space, Rechliner Strasse, 85077, Manching, Germany

    Cyrille Vidy

  3. Institute of Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics, Technical University of Munich, Boltzmannstrasse 15, 85748, Garching, Germany

    Christian Breitsamter

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  1. Lukas Katzenmeier
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  4. Christian Breitsamter
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Correspondence to Lukas Katzenmeier.

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Katzenmeier, L., Vidy, C., Kolb, A. et al. Aeroelastic wind tunnel model for tail buffeting analysis using rapid prototyping technologies. CEAS Aeronaut J 12, 633–651 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13272-021-00523-9

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