Unsteady Wing-Body Aerodynamics for Aeroelastic Applications at Mach One

Abstract

Renewed interest in the sonic-box method is prompted by the possibility of near-sonic flights. For aeroelastic applications, the sonic-box methods, however, would be hindered by their drawbacks/confinements. They are based on a velocity-potential formulation, thus the wake domain must be modeled for planforms with swept trailing edges or for multiple lifting surfaces; their nonplanar lifting surface application has not been demonstrated, nor has its flutter applicability; their extensions for bodies remain unexplored. To this end, an unsteady sonic methodology employing sonic acceleration potential for multiple lifting surfaces (wings) and sonic source velocity potential for bodies has been developed. The present unsteady sonic method should be recognized as the sonic counterpart of our previous development of the unsteady subsonic and supersonic wing-body methods. It will be shown that unsteady sonic methodology employing sonic acceleration potential is an expedient method for flutter/aeroelastic applications for wing-body configurations in the sonic/near-sonic Mach number range.