Nonlinear Aerolastic Analysis of a High-Aspec-Ratio Wing with Large Deflection Effects

Abstract

In this study, nonlinear static and dynamic aeroelastic analyses for a high-aspect-ratio wing have been performed. To achieve these aims, the transonic small disturbance (TSD) theory for the aerodynamic analysis and the large deflection beam theory considering a geometrical nonlinearity for the structural analysis are applied, respectively. For the coupling between fluid and structure, the transformation of a displacement from the structural mesh to the aerodynamic grid is performed by a shape function which is used for the finite element and the inverse transformation of force by work equivalent load method. To validate the current method, the present analysis results of a high-aspect-ratio wing are compared with the experimental results. Static deformations in the vertical and torsional directions caused by an angle of attack and gravity loading are compared with experimental results. Also, static and dynamic aeroelastic characteristics are investigated. The comparisons of the flutter speed and frequency between a linear and nonlinear analysis are presented.