Overview
Numerous solvers, modelling, design optimisation and experimental tools have been developed and used until recently both in Europe (mainly though EC funded projects) and in China and have proven to be of significant value in many industrial applications, when not treating explicitly the coupling due to the multidisciplinary effects. So far, the correct use of such single discipline codes is limited to specific range of applications. Despite recent efforts, there is still a lack of initial information on available methods, codes and experiments related to coupled multidisciplinary problems in aeronautics in Europe and China, involving two or more different fields (such as fluid/structure, fluid/acoustics, fluid/heat transfer, structure/acoustics, pollution flows, composite materials, etc.).
The aim of the AEROCHINA Specific Support Action (SSA) was to foster the cooperation between a number of industry, university and research organisations in the aeronautics sector in Europe and China in the field of mathematical modelling, computer simulation and code validation, experimental testing and design methods for the solution of multiphysics problems of interest to the aeronautic sector. The spectrum physical disciplines (coupled or not) considered in AEROCHINA which were of interest of European and Chinese partners were Aerodynamics, Structures & Materials, Fluid Dynamics, Aeroacoustics and Aero Elasticity.
The general strategic objectives of the project were the following:
- To identify and collect state of the art information on existing mathematical models and computational methods in Europe and China for analysis of multidisciplinary problems in aeronautics. The following multiphysics fields will be preferably addressed: 1) aeroelasticity, 2) acoustics, 3) combustion and 4) fluid-atmospheric environment with particular emphasis on turbulent flows.
- To collect state of the art information on test case problems and experimental data available in Europe and China for validation of computational methods for analysis of multidisciplinary problems in aeronautics.
- To identify critical future joint RTD areas in Europe and China for analysis of multidisciplinary problems in aeronautics using innovative computational methods and experimental tests.
- To disseminate within Europe and China numerical and experimental data collected.
- To identify, specify and disseminate guidelines for validation of mathematical methods and/or numerical/ experimental techniques for multidisciplinary problems of interest to the aeronautic sector in Europe and China.
- To advance in the initial knowledge of the participating organisations from Europe and China by means of the interchange of scientific and technical information the organisation of the project meetings, the organisation of a kick-off conference in Beijing, one technical meeting in China, one workshop in Europe and other dissemination activities.
- To define a strategy for analysis and design of multidisciplinary problems in aeronautics of interest to European and Chinese industry.
- To prepare specific RTD activities to be presented as future joint proposal in FP7.
These AEROCHINA objectives corresponded to a more long term preparation necessary for substant
Work in the project was organised in the following workpackages and tasks.
WP1. Specification of prospective strategy and work plans
- T1.1 Specification of AEROCHINA Communication System and Database
- T1.2 Definition of strategy for state of the art survey data collection and storage
- T1.3 Identification of test cases
- T1.4 Specification of dissemination and exploitation plan
WP2. Web based AEROCHINA Communication System
- T2.1 Development of AEROCHINA Communication System
- T2.2 Installation and maintenance of AEROCHINA Communication System
- T2.3 Multidisciplinary database tools
- T2.4 Database management
WP3. State of the art review and collection of data
- T3.1 Models
- T3.2 Numerical design optimization methods
- T3.3 Simulation results
- T3.4 Experimental methods
- T3.5 Test results
- T3.6 Data Quality assessment
WP4. Identification of future joint multiphysics RTD activities
- T4.1 New Multidisciplinary models
- T4.2 New Numerical and simulation methods
- T4.3 New Experimental method and results
WP5. Dissemination activities
- T5.1 Kick-off conference event
- T5.2 Workshop event
- T5.3 Technical meeting and seminar
- T5.4 General dissemination and exploitation activities
WP6. Project Management
- T6.1 Project management
Funding
Results
The activities in the AEROCHINA SSA opened a wide range of scientific and technological prospects for future cooperation between European and Chinese organisations in the development and validation of multiphysics methods and their associated analysis and design codes. Access to state of the art information on RTD activities in China and in Europe on multidisciplinary mathematical and numerical methods opened many opportunities for the development of new and enhanced methods aiming to solve complex multiphysics problems in aeronautics, such as coupled aero-elastic-acoustic phenomena, electro-magnetic-mechanical problems, turbulent/chemistry interactions and optimal shape design accounting for multidisciplinary effects and many others. The experimental and numerical data installed and stored on databases would be of high value for verification and validation of existing and new computational and experimental procedures.
The specific scope of the AEROCHINA project also fitted within several aspects of the European Union policies. Improvement of the design, analysis and validation tools will help to build safer and more competitive aircrafts with improved environmental features (less noise, less pollution). Indeed producing safer airplanes is one of the targets to guarantee better protection of passengers. The enhancement of aircraft design and production is one of the key aspects for a sustainable European aerospace industry meeting the challenges and demands of the air-transport sector for the next decades.
It was also expected that the AEROCHINA Communication System and the multidisciplinary data stored would be a step forward towards the standardisation of multidisciplinary data interchange procedures in the field of multidisciplinary aeronautic engineering as well as in the dissemination of data from numerical and experimental tests.
Technical Implications
The technological prospects will derive from the new possibility of advanced design of aircraft vehicles taking into consideration many multidisciplinary effects currently not strongly accounted for in practice. The AEROCHINA Guidelines will define the strategic lines and methodologies (both numerical and experimental) to be developed in the near future for the solution of multidisciplinary problems. These guidelines will bring an added value as a basis for setting up new RTD projects to be carried out in FP7 jointly by the AEROCHINA partners and others.
The access to new and more powerful computational methods and experimental data will increase the job opportunities among skilled engineers. A training programme will be needed to introduce engineers into the new multidisciplinary tools, which invariably will lead to the creation of new jobs.
Special effort in the AEROCHINA project will be put in the training of young engineers aiming to broaden the use of the multidisciplinary data among the aeronautics sector in Europe. This will contribute to building up the 'knowledge society' that the European Union is now urgently seeking to achieve.
The interaction between partners from different organisations in Europe and China (aeronautics/aerospace industries, RTD centres, universities and international associations) will lead to an exchange of ideas and personnel which will help towards making more attractive the work in these fields.
The AEROCHINA data will also find application in markets different from the aeronautic sectors that also need the computational multiphysics technologies (i.e. rotation machinery, civil construction, naval architecture, automotive industrial forming processes, etc.). Transfer of the AEROCHINA technology to these sectors through adequate training actions (i.e. seminars, courses, workshops, conferences, publications, etc.) will help to create new attractive cooperative RTD scenarios and business opportunities for cooperation between different sectors and this will also contribute to the creation of new jobs.