Generation of CFD-Based Structurally Independent Aerodynamic Influence Coefficient Matrix

The primary technical objective of Phase II is to develop ZONArsquo;s next-generation commercial software for aeroelastic, aeroservoelastic, and dynamic loads analysis using the CFD-based AIC matrices. The current ZONA#39;s flagship commercial software called ZAERO for aeroelastic analysis has been adopted by many aerospace companies for over 25 years and has over 100 users worldwide. In the heart of ZAERO is the Unified Aerodynamic Influence Coefficient (UAIC) module that generates the structurally independent AIC matrices by solving the linear unsteady potential equation using the panel methods. Because of the linear potential flow assumption, the unsteady panel methods are not valid at transonic Mach numbers nor at high angles of attack. Due to the advances of the CFD methods, we can foresee that the replacement of panel methods by the CFD methods for aeroelastic analysis is on the horizon. To keep ZONArsquo;s competitive edge in the software-licensing market of aeroelastic analysis, ZONA will develop a next generation of ZAERO, herein referred to as ZAERO++ in which the AIC matrix generated by the UAIC module will be replaced by the CFD-based AIC matrix generated by the GENAIC module that we developed in Phase I. With the user and application manuals that will be generated in Phase II, ZAERO++ will become a product-ready commercial software as the outcome of the Phase II effort.