Project description
Exploring the design space for tomorrow's advanced aerofoils
Large- and small-scale changes in the shapes of aerofoils, together with the active control of these shapes depending on conditions, can have a significant impact on the aerodynamic performance of aircraft. The design space is virtually unlimited, and the characteristics that are affected quite numerous, so the rational design of optimised lifting surfaces would benefit tremendously from accurate predictive models. The EU-funded MONNALISA project will develop and validate a novel method to predict the non-linear aerodynamic properties of lifting surfaces with controls, leveraging a high-resolution database of relevant design parameters.
Objective
The performance-improvement objectives sought in the Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking requires a departure from conventional empennage configurations and technologies that constitute the current state of the art in aircraft design. An “Advanced Rear End” component for the forthcoming generation of ultra-efficient aircraft might consist of a very compact rear fuselage and tail surfaces with planforms significantly different from those currently used in terms of aspect ratio, taper ratio and sweep angle.
In this project, we aim at developing and validating an innovative, physics-based low-order method to predict the non-linear aerodynamic characteristics of lifting surfaces with controls whose geometry could significantly differ from the usual ones. The development and validation of the method relies on a high-resolution database scanning the extensive space of design parameters required in the call: sweep angle, aspect ratio, taper ratio, dihedral angle, shape of the leading edge and presence of ice. A recently validated approach, based on the most advanced techniques of uncertainty quantification, guarantees the reliability of the database of the aerodynamic characteristics that will drive the development of the method. The aerodynamic database will efficiently mix highly accurate experimental results with state-of-the-art, high-fidelity numerical simulations and lower fidelity simulations.
The success of the project is guaranteed by the scientific quality and reliability of the partners in the consortium that have extensive experience in aerospace research projects, by state-of-the-art experimental facilities and aerodynamic-simulation open-source codes, and by a judicious use of subcontracting.
Fields of science
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabases
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaircraft
- natural sciencesmathematicspure mathematicsgeometry
- engineering and technologymechanical engineeringvehicle engineeringaerospace engineeringaeronautical engineering
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
20133 Milano
Italy