A2-NET-TEAM

Advanced Aircraft Network for Theoretical & Experimental Aeroservoelastic Modeling

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Next generation of aerodynamically efficient slender and flexible aircraft wings used in composite civil aircrafts and unconventional configurations, such as High Altitude Long Endurance HALE-UAV, require extremely lightweight structural components capable of carrying considerable amount of non-structural weight. With the increased slenderness and flexibility, possible with the advent of advanced composites, these wings can exhibit aeroelastic instabilities quite different from their rigid counterparts. Consequently, one has to deal with phenomena not usually considered in classical aircraft design. Alternative design criteria are needed in order to maintain the safety levels imposed by the regulations and required for certification. The study of the nonlinear aeroservoelastic behaviour of these aircrafts is extremely complex and requires the integration of a variety of disciplines including solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, and controls. Only by integrating these disciplines is possible to develop a comprehensive model truly representative of the aircraft dynamics and its aeroservoelastic behaviour. The A2-Net-Team project aims to build a multi-disciplinary network of researchers with complementary expertise to develop analytical methods used for a better understanding and assessment of the factors contributing to the occurrence of critical aeroservoelastic instabilities. The test article will also provide the opportunity to modify and calibrate theoretical models, with the goal of showing the effect of theoretical approximation and their limits, and the necessity of model modifications and future investigations. A theoretical and experimental database will be created to describe the aeroelastic impacts and results from the programme. Future plans for aeroservoelastic testing will be also proposed and lesson learned during this projects will be instrumental for these studies.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Advanced composites are making possible new slender and flexible wing configurations for next-generation aircraft. An EU-funded consortium is providing the missing design and simulation tools to ensure safety and certification.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Implementation of new, lightweight composites in slender and flexible next-generation wing designs requires improved models of aeroelasticity and specifically of aeroservoelasticity. The latter takes into account automatic flight control such as active wing technology in changing wing shape or structure.

Instabilities experienced by high flexible composite wing systems are different from those exhibited by their rigid counterparts. Accurate consideration is critical to pass certification and maintain safety levels imposed by regulations.

An EU-funded consortium has formed a multidisciplinary network to train new scientists and meet the challenge with EU funding of the project 'Advanced aircraft network for theoretical & experimental aeroservoelastic modeling' (http://www.a2netteam.polito.it/ (A2-NET-TEAM)).

Within the first project period, 12 researchers carried out a total of 21 months of secondments and demonstrated important progress in numerous lines of inquiry. Many new models were developed, tested and verified covering model systems, propeller blades, flexible wings and even flexible wing aircraft. All results have been published or will be presented in the coming months.

A2-NET-TEAM scientists are laying the groundwork for evaluation of next-generation flexible wing concepts and their non-linear instabilities. Filling the gap in available techniques, the team has already delivered a wealth of new tools. They provide a great contribution to ensure the safety and certification of concepts for more efficient and greener air transport. The tools and databases are likely to be welcomed by designers of many other components that rely on these new materials as well.