Wind Tunnel Support System Influence on NASA Common Research Model at Low-Speed Conditions

Abstract

Computational studies were conducted in order to gain an understanding and to quantify the impact of the model support system and aeroelastic wing deformation on the Common Research Model at subsonic inflow conditions at . Comparisons between results obtained in the European Transonic Windtunnel and from simulations using TAU reveal the extent of the modeling error introduced by neglecting the support structure. RANS simulations with and without the support system show that it has a near-field effect on the model’s rear fuselage, significantly altering the pressure field and thereby impacting the force coefficients, most significantly drag and pitching moment. Aeroelastic wing deformation was also included in the investigation, showing non-negligible impact on the forces. The inclusion of the support system and wing deformation, as well as the use of advanced turbulence models, was shown to promise considerable error reduction potential in comparative studies between wind tunnel and simulation data.