University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Multi-fidelity analysis and reduced-order modeling of wing-body aerodynamics

Mahesh, Karthik

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/122027

Description

Title
Multi-fidelity analysis and reduced-order modeling of wing-body aerodynamics
Author(s)
Mahesh, Karthik
Issue Date
2023-12-04
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Ansell, Phillip J
Department of Study
Aerospace Engineering
Discipline
Aerospace Engineering
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
  • Aerodynamics
  • Reduced Order Modeling
  • Slender Body Theory
  • Wing Theory
  • Vortex Lattice Methods
  • Vortex Panel Methods
  • PANAIR
  • AVL
  • Lifting Line Theory
Abstract
The aerodynamic design benefits and configuration integration challenges of blended wing body (BWB) configurations over traditional tube-and-wing (TAW) designs have been thoroughly studied over the years. Research has shown that an intermediate approach, the lifting-center-body (LCB) configuration is optimal for regional and short-haul passenger aircraft, providing a significant aerodynamic benefit while reducing the integration complexity. This thesis aims to characterize the geometry and configuration aerodynamics of LCB aircraft across a range of wing-body blending. A variety of aerodynamic analysis methods are used to characterize the surface pressure and lift distributions and determine the sensitivity of various performance parameters to the degree of blending, and inform configuration design guidelines through these studies for aerodynamic design of LCB aircraft. It is postulated that spanload optimization strategies can provide significant reduction in induced drag for an LCB configuration over tube-and-wing configurations, and understanding the chordwise effects can further play an important role in the performance of these designs.
Graduation Semester
2023-12
Type of Resource
Thesis
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2023 Karthik Mahesh

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