Aeroelastic Analysis of Double-Swept Rotor Blade in Hovering Conditions

Abstract

The double-sweep is a relatively new advanced blade shape employed in the rotorcraft industry, mainly, to alleviate rotor noise. The aeroelastic effects of this advanced shape have been relatively less discussed in the open literature. The current work involves a study concerning the effects of a double-sweep, along with a tip-anhedral, on the aeroelastic loads and structural dynamics of a rotor blade. For carrying out this analysis, a comprehensive simulation tool employing the Peters-He dynamic wake model and the ONERA dynamic stall model for air loads is used. It is shown that the double-sweep geometry causes large lag shear forces, lag as well as torsional moments at the blade root and at the double-sweep junction.