Computational studies on the effect of water impact on an unmanned air vehicle

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2008-01-01
Authors
Zink, Gregory
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Tom I-P Shih
Thomas J. Rudolphi
Mark Bryden
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Aerospace Engineering

The Department of Aerospace Engineering seeks to instruct the design, analysis, testing, and operation of vehicles which operate in air, water, or space, including studies of aerodynamics, structure mechanics, propulsion, and the like.

History
The Department of Aerospace Engineering was organized as the Department of Aeronautical Engineering in 1942. Its name was changed to the Department of Aerospace Engineering in 1961. In 1990, the department absorbed the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics and became the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics. In 2003 the name was changed back to the Department of Aerospace Engineering.

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1942-present

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  • Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics (1990-2003)

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Aerospace Engineering
Abstract

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was used in conjunction with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to simulate the water splashdown and effects thereof on an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV). The CFD simulation utilized time-accurate finite-volume code to model both "compressible" and "incompressible" ensemble averaged Navier-Stokes equations. The model also incorporated the volume of fluid method to track the air-water interface, and dynamic cell remeshing to move the UAV body through the computational domain. The model was verified by comparing pressure histories with experimental test data. There was good agreement in character and magnitude of these results, with some deviance in the inlet duct of the aircraft. Tests were performed for various drop heights, yielding different impact velocities. Finally, the CFD results were used to perform an FEA study of the effect on the inlet close-off door. As confirmed by experimental test hardware, the FEA model predicted that the door would permanently deform, requiring reinforcement to the support arm.

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Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 UTC 2008