Overview
Despite considerable progress in computational aerodynamics, wind tunnels are still the prime tool to measure and to predict aircraft performance for take-off and cruise, design and off-design conditions However, conventional wind tunnels face physical limits in matching Reynolds and Mach number ranges required to realistically simulate cruise conditions. A means to overcome this limit are cryogenic wind tunnels, for instance, the European Transonic Wind tunnel (ETW).
The 'Flight Reynolds number testing' (FLIRET) project's objective was to improve the accuracy of performance measurements at flight Reynolds number in cryogenic wind tunnels where the highest measuring accuracy is needed to predict the flight behaviour and performance of new aircraft. But there is also a considerable improvement for the handling quality and loads testing. The performance guarantees given to airlines trust to a large extent the accuracy of wind tunnel test data and their extrapolation to flight conditions. Similarly, a high fidelity simulation of the aircraft in the wind tunnel is the best way to avoid aerodynamic difficulties during flight testing and hence reduces the time to market and cost.
Teh FLIRET project focussed on aircraft model mounting techniques in cryogenic wind tunnels since they have a significant influence on high Reynolds number performance measurements. FLIRET investigated several model-mounting alternatives and compared the devices with existing state of the art stings. This approach appeared reasonable since most of the stings used to date had been designed more than ten years ago. With support of state of the art CFD tools it was hoped to achieve a reasonable progress in measurement accuracy.
Another objective of FLIRET was to better integrated CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulation capabilities and wind tunnel testing. It was intended to clarify the advantages and the disadvantages of numerical and experimental work to take maximum benefit of synergy effects. The FLIRET approach offered a lot of opportunities for identifying weaknesses of each method and to combine their strengths.
The following work was done:
- Designing and manufacturing of several model mounting devices (stings);
- Applying and harmonising CFD and prediction tools including the numerical meshes;
- Analysing the test results of each FLIRET work package;
- Analysing the applied model quality, manufacturing and handling strategies;
- Deriving recommendations for industrial testing in cryogenic tunnels.
Based on numerical simulation, new and improved designs were used of straight stings, fin stings and twin stings. Ten test campaigns were performed in the ETW, the ETW pilot tunnel and the Aircraft research association (ARA) tunnel with four new sting configurations and two existing ones. One test with a new 2D-model and three half model tests were performed. One of them required three different peniches, which ended up in nearly three small, but separate measuring campaigns.
For most of the tested configurations improvements were found. It is estimated that FLIRET managed to raise testing accuracy in cryogenic tunnels, but in particular in the ETW by about 10% with reference to the state of the art at the start of the project. This was demonstrated by utilising FLIRET's new sting configurations. Unsurprisingly, the new stings have each to be used under specific model and wind tunnel conditions. A universal sting which allows excellent measurements under any condition is not feasible. For example, the minimum size straight sting provides reference data in a limited loads window and the blade sting guaranties very stable model behaviour in the wind tunnel.
A full design process including a detailed analysis of model/support interferences was performed with two sting designs being selected for detailed analysis of sting interferences. CFD results showed encouraging results showing our ability to reduce the interference between stings and models. This has shown the large benefit from designing a support to the model itself, instead of trying to adapt an existing support. The analysis has also shown the difficulty to define wind tunnel corrections since the efficiency of a support is strongly dependant on the way the correction is defined.
The aero-lines of the Straight and Fin Stings have been worked out leading to the minimum size straight sting and the optimised fin sting designs. Their performance has been assessed with Navier-Stokes codes and compared to the reference stings. This comparison is showing a clear reduction in the level o
Funding
Results
The parametric study shows that the start of non-linearity buffet onset is not so sensitive to turbulence model and mesh refinement in the range of mesh and turbulence model tested. The CFD analyses demonstrates the influence of the wing twist deformation that is of primary importance for a reliable buffet onset prediction.
The wind tunnel test and the CFD analysis confirmed a significant Reynolds effect on buffet onset prediction especially in the range of 6 to 10 million where there is quite large transition effect. For the highest Reynolds number Re=32 Mio to Re=54Mio a slight effect on the CL of flow separation appearance is observed (DCL about 0.01- 0.02).
A wing twist effect (dynamic pressure effect) has been also identified. When dynamic pressure increases, model deformation increases as well and then the twist becomes nose down (lower local incidence) on the outer wing. Then, the CL buffet increases. The order of magnitude is around Delta-CL about 0.02 for a delta twist at the tip of the wing of around 0.6 degrees, quite representative of flight deformation. As a result, there is now a better understanding of the Reynolds effect on buffet onset characteristics at high speed.
The unsteady flow pattern in a cavity at the model / sting interface could be a source of the vibration. CFD investigations and wind tunnel test analysis have shown a very complex 3D/unsteady internal flow driven by rear end geometry. The complexity of the phenomenon and the current limited information of the unsteady flow characteristic don't allow concluding in the frame of FLIRET. Further investigations are required.
Another potential excitation of the model is the wind tunnels atmospheric turbulence. Two different modelling have been performed: the first based on the unsteady measurement on the wing and the second on the pressure fluctuations measured in the holes of the wind tunnel test section. Unfortunately the pre-test wasn't optimised for ETW vibrations. The modelling developed by Airbus using the unsteady sensor on the wing delivered quite low excitation levels which can't explain the model vibration. A simulation using the pressure on the wall delivered relatively high level of vibration when using the aerolastic model. Therefore it is difficult to conclude at this stage and further investigations are required.
The knowledge about surface finish requirements for high Reynolds number testing gained led to a better understanding of the boundary layer characteristics bei
Technical Implications
Due to the ever increasing level of CFD work in aircraft design it is strongly recommended to further optimise the cooperation between the generation of CFD and experimental results. It allows optimizing the technologies, maximising the benefits from both approaches i.e. in the risk mitigation during aircraft design. It also allows a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the flow which cannot be achieved by one method alone. It is difficult to quantify the latter aspect but the physical understanding of the flow physics is the basis for all aircraft design.
It should be mentioned that the results and some of the hardware developed in FLIRET is utilised in the daily testing procedures.