HIGH FIDELITY SIMULATION OF WING LOADS WITH AN ACTIVE WINGLET CONTROL SURFACE

摘要

This paper describes the modelling and simulation of one type of unconventional control surfaces used for load alleviation. A realistic, industrial, large-scale civil transport geometry is chosen for the assessment, and typical sizing flight load conditions are targeted, such as steady manoeuvres and discrete gusts. The study is performed using Reynolds-Averaged-Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations coupled to a beam stick representation of the structural model to account for flexibility. Gusts are modelled using the disturbance velocity approach in an unsteady, structure-coupled process. The methods and processes for mesh generation, mesh deformation, solver parameter selection and general coupling issues are described, and the suitability of the modelling and simulation approach is evaluated. Finally, an assessment is made of the potential for active winglets to alleviate structural wing and winglet loads. The devices are described and practical limitations to their application on the chosen aircraft configuration are given. By application of the high fidelity simulations to realistic design conditions, it is possible to draw conclusions about the potential for these devices to reduce structural loads and in turn save structural mass, and also to comment on other potential benefits (e.g. drag reduction in off-design conditions).