Aeroelastic Load Analysis of Tiltrotor using Flexible Multibody Dynamics in Hovering Flight

This paper presents a rotor structural dynamics analysis of a tiltrotor aircraft using DYMORE, a nonlinear flexible multibody dynamics analysis program. The analysis employed multibody dynamics modeling based on the WRATS SASIP model, a semi-articulated tiltrotor. To validate the structural model, a dynamic characteristic analysis of the rotor blade was conducted, confirming its appropriate implementation. For the aerodynamic analysis, dynamic inflow model and two-dimensional unsteady lifting line theory were utilized. Aeroelastic analysis was also performed to evaluate the aircraft’s flight performance during hovering and to assess hub loads. The results obtained using DYMORE were compared with previous research findings to verify the accuracy and reliability of the current model for tiltrotor aircraft analysis. Additionally, the aerodynamic and sectional structural loads were evaluated concerning the collective pitch angle during hovering flight, providing valuable insights into the rotor’s behavior under these conditions.