A Multidisciplinary Analysis Tool for Multi Systems Deployment

CFDRC proposes to develop, demonstrate and validate a multi-fidelity multi-disciplinary analysis tool for systems deployment and multi-body relative motion involving aerospace vehicles. A rigid body motion (6 DOF) model for systems deployment will be developed as a stand-alone module to be coupled with a general fluid solver. An advanced overset/Chimera methodology will be implemented to allow for the use of multiple grid systems for multi-body relative motion and preserve the accuracy of the solution. The developed modules will be implemented into the multi-disciplinary computing environment (MDICE) as part of a general platform for aeroelastic and aeroservoelastic simulations. The environment will enable high-fidelity as well as reduced order modeling simulations. High-fidelity simulations will be conducted using nonlinear modules for fluid and structure already built into the environment. ROM simulations will be facilitated using ROM modules such as QUADPAN. Phase I effort will focus on developing the modular 6DOF model and the modular overset Chimera module and their implementation into MDICE to communicate with other high-fidelity modules in the computational framework. The feasibility of the technology will be demonstrated for several systems deployment applications such as store separation, weapons release. In Phase II, the overset Chimera technology will be extended for different grid systems using advanced overset technology tools. BENEFITS: The proposed technology will provide an accurate high-fidelity analysis tool for simulations of systems deployment and multi-body relative motion of aerospace vehicles. Aerospace engineers will be able to utilize the proposed technology to analyze early designs of aerospace vehicles and hereby reducing the dependence on the expensive wind tunnel and flight tests. Benefits will also be achieved in the final performance, and enhanced structural integrity, prolonged structural life, and improved safety of aerospace vehicles.  Direct applications of the technology are in the analysis of general systems deployment applications of aerospace vehicles, such as store separation, weapons release, canopy ejection, aircraft ejection seat, missile staging, ammunition dispenser, and many others. General applications of the technology include general fluid-structure interaction problems such as vortex-blade interaction of rotorcraft, fracture dynamics, strumming of cables and offshore pipelines, galloping of towers and masts, and fatigue of panels.