Nonlinear simulation of a flexible aircraft in maneuvering flightA mathematical model integrating nonlinear rigid-body flight mechanics and linear aeroelastic dynamics is examined; the equations of motion for an elastic aircraft in accelerated flight are developed using Lagrangian mechanics. This approach is used to construct a simulation model of an F/A-18 (configured with tip missiles) which includes angular/elastic inertial coupling (IC). In general, the elastic modes significantly affected by IC were aerodynamically decoupled from the rest of the model. The affected modes were those which induced changes in total aircraft mass distribution. The elastic effect is noticeable if deformation-induced mass distribution changes are significant with respect to modal mass and modal frequencies. A modal parameter is presented which characterizes the level of IC between elastic momentum and rigid-body angular momentum.
Document ID
19870061898
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Buttrill, Carey S. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Arbuckle, P. Douglas (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Zeiler, Thomas A. (PRC Kentron, Inc. Hampton, VA, United States)