An efficient approach for solving nonlinear aeroelastic phenomenon using reduced-order modeling

A procedure to develop CFD-based reduced order models (ROMs) which capture the essence of an aerodynamic system while reducing the complexity of the computational model is introduced. The Volterra-based ROM is obtained using the derivative of unsteady aerodynamic step-response. Transient responses and Gaussian responses were calculated using ROM and compared with the CFD solver for validation of ROM approach. An Eigensystem Realization Algorithm is used to convert ROM unsteady aerodynamics into the LTI state space model. A reduction in the cost of the realization of the ROM kernel is obtained by the identification of the state-space model. Aeroelastic analysis is conducted using state space model. A typical section model has been used for validation. An aeroelastic analysis of 3D wing is also conducted at M=0.60. While highly optimized, the state-space model remains a decoupled system and has enough meaningful information about the nature of the aerodynamic system. The proposed approach is computationally efficient without loosing structural/aerodynamic nonlinearities.