Enhanced Modal Solutions for Structural Dynamics in Aerothermoelastic Analysis

Abstract

Hypersonic vehicle design and simulation require models that are of low order. Modeling of hypersonic vehicles is complicated due to complex interactions between aerodynamic heating, heat transfer, structural dynamics, and aerodynamics in the hypersonic regime. This work focuses on the development of ecient modal solutions for structural dynamics of hypersonic vehicle structures under transient thermal loads. The problem is outlined and aerothermoelastic coupling mechanisms are described. A previously developed reducedorder, time-domain aerothermoelastic simulation framework is used as the starting point for this study. This paper focuses on three main modeling areas: 1) The eect of aerodynamic heating on the evolution of free vibration modes shapes and frequencies is examined, 2) A surrogate modeling technique is employed for directly updating the generalized stiness matrix and thermal loads based on the transient temperature distribution and 3) Basis augmentation techniques are employed in order to obtain more accurate solutions for the structural dynamic response. The techniques to be studied are described and applied to a representative hypersonic vehicle elevator structure.