Free vibration analysis of damaged beams via refined models

Petrolo, Marco,Carrera, Erasmo,Alawami, Ali Saeghier Ali Saeed Techno-Press 2016 Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science Vol.3 No.1

This paper presents the free vibration analysis of damaged beams by means of 1D (beam) advanced finite element models. The present 1D formulation stems from the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF), and it leads to a Component-Wise (CW) modelling. By means of the CUF, any order 2D and 1D structural models can be developed in a unified and hierarchical manner, and they provide extremely accurate results with very low computational costs. The computational cost reduction in terms of total amount of DOFs ranges from 10 to 100 times less than shell and solid models, respectively. The CW provides a detailed physical description of the real structure since each component can be modelled with its material characteristics, that is, no homogenization techniques are required. Furthermore, although 1D models are exploited, the problem unknown variables can be placed on the physical surfaces of the real 3D model. No artificial surfaces or lines have to be defined to build the structural model. Global and local damages are introduced by decreasing the stiffness properties of the material in the damaged regions. The results show that the proposed 1D models can deal with damaged structures as accurately as a shell or a solid model, but with far lower computational costs. Furthermore, it is shown how the presence of damages can lead to shell-like modal shapes and torsional/bending coupling.

Multibody models with flexible components for inflatable space structures

Petrolo, Marco,Governale, Giorgio,Catelani, Daniele,Carrera, Erasmo Techno-Press 2018 Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science Vol.5 No.6

This work has the objective to analyze multibody mechanisms of inflatable structures for manned space applications. The focus is on the evaluation of the main characteristics of MaxFlex, a new module of MSC Adams including the effect of nonlinear flexible bodies. MaxFlex integrates the nonlinear Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of Nastran-SOL400-and the Adams multibody capabilities in one unique solver, providing an improvement concerning the concept and technology based on the co-simulation among solvers. MaxFlex converts the equations of motion of the nonlinear FEA into phase-space form and discretizes them according to the multibody system integrator framework. The numerical results deal with an inflatable manned space module having rigid components and a flexible coating made of Kevlar. This paper is a preliminary assessment of the computational capabilities of the software and does not provide realistic guidelines for the actual design of the structure. The analysis leads to some recommendations related to the main issues to consider in a nonlinear simulation including both rigid and flexible components. The results underline the importance of realistic deployment times and applied forces. Also, a proper structural modeling is necessary, but can lead to excessive computational overheads.

Further results on the development of a novel VTOL aircraft, the Anuloid. Part II: Flight mechanics

Petrolo, Marco,Carrera, Erasmo,Visser, Coen de,D'Ottavio, Michele,Polit, Olivier Techno-Press 2017 Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science Vol.4 No.4

This paper presents the main outcomes of the preliminary development of the Anuloid, an innovative disk-shaped VTOL aircraft. The Anuloid has three main features: lift is provided by a ducted fan powered by a turboshaft; control capabilities and anti-torque are due to a system of fixed and movable surfaces that are placed in the circular internal duct and the bottom portion of the aircraft; the Coanda effect is exploited to enable the control capabilities of such surfaces. In this paper, results from flight mechanics are presented. The vertical flight dynamics were found to be desirable. In contrast, the horizontal flight dynamics of the aircraft shows both dynamic instability, and more importantly, insufficient pitch and roll control authority. Some recommendations and guidelines are then given aimed at the alleviation of such problems.

Further results on the development of a novel VTOL aircraft, the Anuloid. Part I: Aerodynamics

Petrolo, Marco,Carrera, Erasmo,Iuso, Gaetano,Patek, Zdenek,Janda, Zdenek Techno-Press 2017 Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science Vol.4 No.4

This paper presents the main outcomes of the preliminary development of the Anuloid, an innovative disk-shaped VTOL aircraft. The Anuloid has three main features: lift is provided by a ducted fan powered by a turboshaft; control capabilities and anti-torque are due to a system of fixed and movable surfaces that are placed in the circular internal duct and the bottom portion of the aircraft; the Coanda effect is exploited to enable the control capabilities of such surfaces. In this paper, results from CFD analyses and wind tunnel tests are presented. Horizontal and vertical flights were considered, including accelerated flight. Particular attention was paid to the experimental analysis of the Coanda effect via a reduced scale 3D printed model. The results suggest that the Coanda effect is continuously present at the lower surface of the Anuloid and may be exploited for the control of the aircraft. Also, very complex 3D flows may develop around the aircraft.

On the development of the Anuloid, a disk-shaped VTOL aircraft for urban areas

Petrolo, Marco,Carrera, Erasmo,D'Ottavio, Michele,de Visser, Coen,Patek, Zdenek,Janda, Zdenek Techno-Press 2014 Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science Vol.1 No.3

This paper deals with the early development of the Anuloid, an innovative disk-shaped VTOL aircraft. The Anuloid concept is based on the following three main features: the use of a ducted fan powered by a turboshaft for the lift production to take-off and fly; the Coanda effect that is developed through the circular internal duct and the bottom portion of the aircraft to provide further lift and control capabilities; the adoption of a system of ducted fixed and swiveling radial and circumferential vanes for the anti-torque mechanism and the flight control. The early studies have been focused on the CFD analysis of the Coanda effect and of the control vanes; the flyability analysis of the aircraft in terms of static performances and static and dynamic stability; the preliminary structural design of the aircraft. The results show that the Coanda effect is stable in most of the flight phases, vertical flight has satisfactory flyability qualities, whereas horizontal flight shows dynamic instability, requiring the development of an automatic control system.

Advanced 1D Structural Models for Flutter Analysis of Lifting Surfaces

Petrolo, Marco The Korean Society for Aeronautical and Space Scie 2012 International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sc Vol.13 No.2

An advanced aeroelastic formulation for flutter analyses is presented in this paper. Refined 1D structural models were coupled with the doublet lattice method, and the g-method was used for flutter analyses. Structural models were developed in the framework of the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF). Higher-order 1D structural models were obtained by using Taylor-like expansions of the cross-section displacement field of the structure. The order (N) of the expansion was considered as a free parameter since it can be arbitrarily chosen as an input of the analysis. Convergence studies on the order of the structural model can be straightforwardly conducted in order to establish the proper 1D structural model for a given problem. Flutter analyses were conducted on several wing configurations and the results were compared to those from literature. Results show the enhanced capabilities of CUF 1D in dealing with the flutter analysis of typical wing structures with high accuracy and low computational costs.

Advanced 1D Structural Models for Flutter Analysis of Lifting Surfaces

Marco Petrolo 한국항공우주학회 2012 International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sc Vol.13 No.2

An advanced aeroelastic formulation for flutter analyses is presented in this paper. Refined 1D structural models were coupled with the doublet lattice method, and the g-method was used for flutter analyses. Structural models were developed in the framework of the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF). Higher-order 1D structural models were obtained by using Taylor-like expansions of the cross-section displacement field of the structure. The order (N) of the expansion was considered as a free parameter since it can be arbitrarily chosen as an input of the analysis. Convergence studies on the order of the structural model can be straightforwardly conducted in order to establish the proper 1D structural model for a given problem. Flutter analyses were conducted on several wing configurations and the results were compared to those from literature. Results show the enhanced capabilities of CUF 1D in dealing with the flutter analysis of typical wing structures with high accuracy and low computational costs.

Flutter analysis by refined 1D dynamic stiffness elements and doublet lattice method

Pagani, Alfonso,Petrolo, Marco,Carrera, Erasmo Techno-Press 2014 Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science Vol.1 No.3

An advanced model for the linear flutter analysis is introduced in this paper. Higher-order beam structural models are developed by using the Carrera Unified Formulation, which allows for the straightforward implementation of arbitrarily rich displacement fields without the need of a-priori kinematic assumptions. The strong form of the principle of virtual displacements is used to obtain the equations of motion and the natural boundary conditions for beams in free vibration. An exact dynamic stiffness matrix is then developed by relating the amplitudes of harmonically varying loads to those of the responses. The resulting dynamic stiffness matrix is used with particular reference to the Wittrick-Williams algorithm to carry out free vibration analyses. According to the doublet lattice method, the natural mode shapes are subsequently used as generalized motions for the generation of the unsteady aerodynamic generalized forces. Finally, the g-method is used to conduct flutter analyses of both isotropic and laminated composite lifting surfaces. The obtained results perfectly match those from 1D and 2D finite elements and those from experimental analyses. It can be stated that refined beam models are compulsory to deal with the flutter analysis of wing models whereas classical and lower-order models (up to the second-order) are not able to detect those flutter conditions that are characterized by bending-torsion couplings.

Variable kinematic beam elements for electro-mechanical analysis

Miglioretti, F.,Carrera, E.,Petrolo, M. Techno-Press 2014 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.13 No.4

This paper proposes a refined electro-mechanical beam formulation. Lagrange-type polynomials are used to interpolate the unknowns over the beam cross section. Three- (L3), four- (L4), and nine-point(L9) polynomials are considered which lead to linear, bi-linear, and quadratic displacement field approximations over the beam cross-section. Finite elements are obtained by employing the principle of virtual displacements in conjunction with the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF). The finite element matrices and vectors are expressed in terms of fundamental nuclei whose forms do not depend on the assumptions made. Additional refined beam models are implemented by introducing further discretizations, over the beam cross-section. Some assessments from bibliography have been solved in order to validate the electro-mechanical formulation. The investigations conducted show that the present formulation is able to detect the electro-mechanical interaction.

Variable kinematic beam elements for electro-mechanical analysis

F. Miglioretti,E. Carrera,M. Petrolo 국제구조공학회 2014 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.13 No.4

This paper proposes a refined electro-mechanical beam formulation. Lagrange-type polynomials areused to interpolate the unknowns over the beam cross section. Three- (L3), four- (L4), and nine-point(L9) polynomials are considered which lead to linear, bi-linear, and quadratic displacement field approximations over the beam cross-section. Finite elements are obtained by employing the principle of virtualdisplacements in conjunction with the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF). The finite element matricesand vectors are expressed in terms of fundamental nuclei whose forms do not depend on the assumptions made. Additional refined beam models are implemented by introducing further discretizations, overthe beam cross-section. Some assessments from bibliography have been solved in order to validate theelectro-mechanical formulation. The investigations conducted show that the present formulation is ableto detect the electro-mechanical interaction. Key