(Huntsville, Ala. | October 2, 2023) – CFD Research has been awarded a contract from NASA to develop an intelligent framework for uncertainty quantification (UQ) in aeroelasticity (AE) based on parametric reduced-order models (ROM). The developed technology will enable NASA to characterize flutter onset and other AE phenomena, determine critical aerodynamic and structural conditions, guide CFD/AE computation and flight testing, and develop advanced aero-structural control strategies.
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) plays an increasingly important role in the design and development of a vast array of aerospace vehicles, from commercial transports to space systems. This is particularly relevant in the field of aeroelastic analysis, where modern aerospace vehicle designs continue to move towards state-of-the-art, lightweight, flexible materials that push structural components to achieve enhanced maneuverability, endurance, and performance. These light, flexible materials are more susceptible to complex dynamics, stability, and durability issues.
“Our goal is to provide sufficient confidence in the CFD simulation results to enable dramatic reduction of wind-tunnel and flight test data needed for clearing aero-vehicles over parametric flight envelopes,” remarked Dr. Andrew Kaminsky, CFD Research Principal Investigator for this work. “Robust uncertainty quantification (UQ) of the computational models can play a key role in enhancing the confidence in the prediction capability of the computational tools.”
In prior efforts, the framework for automated ROM construction, adaptive sampling, and UQ was built. For the first time, adaptive sampling-guided AE ROM generation and UQ with NASA’s FUN3D CFD software was developed in a broad flight envelope and demonstrated to accurately capture flutter boundary in a computationally conscious manner. In this follow-on effort, the framework will be improved through inclusion of uncertainty quantification for structural parameters and refinement of the ROM techniques. The capabilities will be provided within the modular software environment for integration into NASA workflow for technology transition. The software will be extensively validated and demonstrated for automated AE ROM and UQ development using vehicles of NASA interest.
“This effort will provide a powerful tool for accurate and fast ROM generation and UQ analysis,” said Sami Habchi, CFD Research Executive Vice President. “The non-NASA applications are vast, and will focus on aerospace and aircraft engineering for fluid-structural interaction and fatigue analysis, real-time flow and structural control and optimization, uncertainty quantification and reliability analysis, and others.”
About CFD Research: Since its inception in 1987, CFD Research has worked with government agencies, businesses and academia to provide innovative solutions within the Aerospace & Defense, Biomedical & Life Sciences, and Energy & Materials industries. Over the years CFD Research has earned multiple national awards for successful application and commercialization of innovative technology prototypes, multi-physics simulation software, multi-disciplinary analyses, and expert support services. CFD Research’s impressive three-year growth rate was high enough to recognize the company in the Inc. Magazine’s 5000 for the third year. CFD Research is an ISO9001 and AS9100 registered company and is appraised at CMMI Level II for services. Learn more at www.cfd-research.com.
