Multidisciplinary Coupling for Active Flapped Rotors

To address the complex multidisciplinary nature of rotorcraft analysis, high-fidelity computational fluid and structural dynamics models have been developed for an advanced technology, active flap rotor. Comparisons are made between computational fluid dynamics/ computational structural dynamics, comprehensive (lifting-line, free-wake) analyses, and experimental data for the Boeing Smart Material Actuated Rotor Technology (SMART) rotor. A phase sweep of a 2/rev flap input is investigated in relation to the zero flap deflection baseline. Changes in performance, aerodynamic and structural loads, vibration, and noise are shown.