Feasibility of Real-time Aeroelasticity Modeling Using the Unsteady Vortex Lattice Method

In this paper, a feasibility study of real-time aeroelasticity modeling is presented. The implemented model was based on the deformable-wake unsteady vortex lattice method and an Euler beam finite element structural dynamics model. The Pazy wing aeroelastic benchmark was used as the reference for evaluating the model. Two test cases were analyzed. In the first case, a pilot input frequency response analysis was performed at different time-steps. The artificial damping of different frequency control input signals was evaluated. In the second case, a flutter analysis was performed. The implemented model was used to determine the flutter onset and offset speeds of the Pazy wing, and results were compared to experimental data available from other authors. By analyzing the results of these test cases, the possibility of accurate real-time unsteady vortex lattice method based aeroelastic modeling was evaluated. The results suggest that real-time pilot-in-the-loop modeling using the implemented model can be viable, but the model is not currently suitable for real-time flutter analysis.