Computational Fluid Dynamics–Computational Structural Dynamics Rotor Coupling Using an Unstructured Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes Methodology
The focus of this paper is to discuss the unique challenges introduced through the use of unstructured grids in rotorcraft computational fluid dynamics (CFD)–computational structural dynamics (CSD) coupling. The use of unstructured grid methodology in CFD has been expanding because of the advantages in grid generation and modeling of complex configurations. However, the resulting amorphous distribution of the grid points on the rotor blade surface provides no information with regard to the orientation of the blade, in direct contrast to structured grid methodology that can take advantage of the ordered mapping of points to identify the orientation as well as simplifying airloads integration. A methodology has been developed and is described here, which now permits unstructured methods to be utilized for elastic rotary-wing simulations. This methodology is evaluated through comparison of the UH60A rotor with available flight test data for forward flight.