Coupled fluid-structure simulations of a trimmed helicopter rotor in forward flight

Abstract

Coupled fluid-structure simulations of high fidelity tools enable an accurate prediction of the aerodynamic and structural properties of helicopters in forward flight. Within this paper the aeroelastic behavior of a trimmed helicopter rotor was investigated using strong and loose coupling approaches. Results of the coupling chains TAU-HOST and TAU-SIMPACK are compared to experimental data from the European GOAHEAD test campaign. The validation test case is a cruise flight condition at Ma=0.204 related to an advance ratio of m = 0:33. The comparison of pressure distributions along the blade and blade deflections are in good agreement with experimental results and amongst each other.