Aircraft Design Flashcards
Aircraft vehicle design, constraint analysis, mission analysis, performance, aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, basics of everything
What is dimensional analysis? What do we use it for?
Dimensional analysis is used to reduce n-dimensional vbl functions to non-dimensional similarity parameters.
We use similarity parameters to tell us if two non-dim characterizing parameters of aerodynamic flow (Mach and Reyonolds #) are the same for two different flows (rho,v,mu,a) then the Lift coefficient will be the same given two geometrically similar bodies at the same AOA.
What is design Cl?
Design lift coefficient such that at an ideal angle of attack all flow is tangent to the camber line.
What is Mission Analysis?
Mission analysis estimates takeoff gross weight given an initial sized thrust loading and wing loading (T/W, W/S). Uses weight fractions to solve for each mission phase relative to fuel burned (or historical data, empty weight, etc…)
Draw a free body diagram of an A/C with all angles labeled. (Define Flight path angle, angle of attack, pitch angle, thrust vector)
γ - flight path angle = angle between horizontal and V∞
α - angle of attack = angle between AC longitudinal axis and V∞
θ - pitch angle = angle between AC longitudinal axis and horizontal
ϵ - thrust vector = offset of thrust vector w.r.t. to AC longitudinal axis
What different types of uncertainty can occur?
Uncertainty in estimation, model propagation, interpolation, experimental, bias, variability
What are the two categories of uncertainty?
Aleatoric - statistical uncertainty based on unknown and uncontrollable factors
Epistemic - systemic uncertainty based on the lack of knowledge, or not full understanding of behaviors, can be improved by learning more
Which type of uncertainty can you reduce? and How?
Can only reduce epistemic uncertainty by learning more about the behavior. Cannot reduce aleatoric uncertainty, but can design to be insensitive/reduced susceptibility to uncontrollable factors through Robust Design
What is the basic process of Mission Analysis?
- Start with initial takeoff gross weight estimate (Wto from constraint analysis)
- Run mission profile analysis for total Wfuel/Wto
- Recalculate takeoff gross weight through mission fuel fraction and empty weight regression equations Wto = (Wc+Wp)/(1-Wf/Wto-We/Wto)
- Re-estimate Wto and run an iterative analysis over mission profile weight fractions to convergence
What is Constraint Analysis? What does it yield?
Constraint analysis is the numeric and graphical process of using performance and vehicle design scaling parameters thrust loading T/W and wing loading W/S to size your vehicle based on constraining mission phases of flight.
Constraint analysis yields a feasible design space and an optimized design point.
What are sizing/scaling parameters?
Sizing parameters are relationships between both design parameters and aerodynamic properties to size the vehicle with respect to top level characteristics of the vehicle
What are the phases of design?
Conceptual Design - finish requirements analysis, build fuzzy vehicle configuration, and make initial guesses for weight/size, and look at performance requirements
Preliminary Design - Lock in major design features, begin initial Aero/Prop/Structural analysis, only small changes in minor details moving on.
Detailed Design - final analysis set OK for fabrication/manufacturing, testing, vehicle assembly.
What is sizing and synthesis?
Sizing and synthesis is the process of creating a parametric model for a concept based on requirements. The concept is being sized, while the engineering disciplines and constraints are synthesized together to impact the final design.
What are the four forces of aerodynamic flight?
Weight, Lift, Thrust, Drag.
What are requirements?
Requirements are a set of unambiguous, verifiable, traceable, and necessary statements that represent the needs of the user/stakeholder.
Why are requirements important to design?
They are important to design because they are the primary driver the design and what the the design performance is measured against.
What is the difference between uncertainty and risk?
The level of consequences, specifically the quantity of these consequences which propagate.
(uncertainty has consequences, but risk has impactful “danger” associated with the consequences)
What is robust design?
A learning based systematic approach to optimize a design factor value resulting in low variability.
*Economic designs insensitive to uncontrollable factors
What are the main assumptions of constraint analysis? What does each assumption tell us
- Body is a point mass
- No moments propagated across the body - Thrust and Drag are aligned with the velocity vector
- No thrust vectoring
- L is perpendicular to V, –> L is perpendicular to T & D - Gravity is a constant over the planet
- W = mg is constant (but changes g for other planets)
Define Systems Engineering
“overarching discipline to integrate business and engineering aspects to achieve the best overall product/service that meets requirements and does so within budgetary and scheduling constraints”
- Qualitative/quantitative req.
- Design process integration
- Test and analysis of design
- Verification and Validation
What are functional requirements? Performance requirements?
Functional requirements describe what the product/system should be able to do. Performance requirements describe how well the product/systems performs the function/action required
What is verification and validation
Verification is the process and testifying that the product/design has met all the requirements set forth. Validation is the process of testifying that the product/design meets the stakeholder’s needs and performs the desired job.
Derive the Master Equation using energy balance: (tell me the process)
- Energy balance
E = PE + KE = Fds = mgh + 1/2mV^2 = (T-(d+r))ds
2. time derivative to get power and assume mg = W, P = d/dt[(T-(D+R))ds = Wh + 1/2(W/g)V^2]
gives us specific excess power = time derivative of energy height
Ps = [(T-(D+R))]/WV = d/dt(h+(WV^2)/g))
3. Assume: loss factors, drag equations, and L = W
- Solve for Tsl/Wto and arrange in terms of (W/S) fractions
have constant + linear + inverse term
What is a streamline?
A streamline is an element that is tangential to the local velocity vector for the flow field @ a given instant.
*ds X V = 0
Can streamlines cross? Defend why or why not
No, to meet the specification of tangential to flow at every point dsXV = 0 at a single point the crossing of two lines would mean a flow element has two directions and two velocity vectors which is impossible unless V = 0.
What is Lift?
Lift is a component of resultant force due to aerodynamic forces of pressure and shear distributions. Perpendicular to V∞ and Drag
What is Drag?
Drag is a component of resultant force due to aerodynamic forces of pressure and shear distributions. There are components of drag due to both pressure/shear and viscous forces.
What is a drag polar?
A drag polar is an expression for the relationship between drag and lift coefficients with view on performance.
CD = CD0 + K1CL^2+K2CL
CD = total drag CD0 = zero lift drag - parasite drag of A/C CL = total lift coef K1 = K' + K" - induced drag coef due to lift K2 = -2K"CLmin - interference drag/skin friction/press drag
What are the two types of drag?
Pressure drag, drag due to net imbalance of surface pressure acting in the direction of drag
Friction drag, drag due to the net effect of shear stress acting in the drag direction.
What is the total drag of an airplane composed of?
CD = CD,e + CD,w + CL^2/(pi*eAR)
total drag) = (parasite drag) + (wave drag) + (induced drag
What is parasite drag?
Profile drag of a complete airplane.
What is profile drag?
Profile drag is:
- skin friction drag due to flow separation
- skin friction drag due to frictional shear stress acting on airfoil surface
- pressure drag due to flow separation (form drag) specifically caused by net imbalance of pressure distribution in drag direction when boundary layer separates from airfoil
What is induced drag due to lift?
induced drag is developed by a 3D lifting body from the perturbation of flow due to vortex generation over a wing. Produced when not at zero-lift AOA .
What is zero-lift drag?
parasite drag of complete aircraft occurring when at zero-lift α(L=0)
Can you have lift in inviscid flow?
Technically no, because without viscosity/friction we can’t derive shearing flow circulation that satisfy the Kutta Condition which maintains natural correction of flow maintaining attached to the surface until the TE. Were there no condition satisfied, there would be no circulation which would mean there is no Lift
How do you get Lift from Viscosity?
- From viscosity and satisfaction of the Kutta condition we have rotational flow which gives us vorticity.
- From integration of vorticity, we have circulation
- From circulation, we have to satisfy the Kutta Joukowski Thrm of infinitesimal L’ = rhovGamma. Integrate circulation over the span to get total lift.
What is the Kutta Condition?
THRM:
A naturally occurring circulatory correction maintains that flow is steady over an airfoil, this perfect circulation condition corrects the resulting flow such that the flow must leave the trailing edge smoothly.
- Given viscosity (shear and pressure distribution) over an airfoil.
- increases Vtop to push the stagnation pressure pt to the TE and slows Vbottom to pull the stagnation pressure pt to the LE.
What is the difference between viscous and inviscid flow?
Viscous flow is a flow with phenomena of mass diffusion, friction, and thermal conduction (as a result of molecular transport)
Inviscid flow is assumed to have no resistance to shear stress/friction.
*has no friction, no mass diffusion, nor thermal conduction.
What is Reynolds number? What is the magnitude with respect to viscous/inviscid flow?
Reynolds number is a similarity parameter, relating the ratio of inertial forces to viscous forces in a fluid. It is a measurable parameter between flow boundaries and behaviors.
Re = rhoV∞c/(u∞)
inviscid flow Re –> ∞
viscous flow 10^4
What is the difference between dynamic and kinematic viscosity?
Dynamic viscosity is mu, which is the internal resistance to motion of flow. which accounts for density of flow (u∞ = v*rho)
Kinematic viscosity is the ratio of dynamic viscosity to its density (u/rho)
What is the difference between incompressible flow and compressible flow?
Incompressible flow is flow assumed to have a constant density with respect to pressure, but can change due to thermal changes.
*low velocity where V is only variable pressure = 1/2 rho V^2 - no changes in energy
Compressible flow is flow which allows density to vary with pressure. Density/volume varies with pressure changes, means changes in energy as fluid compresses/expands volume
What are the assumptions of stead level flight?
Stead Level Flight:
T = D & L = W
- *BECAUSE:
- Const Velocity
- No thrust incidence angle (e = 0)
- V∞, D parallel to horizontal
- no pitch, or flight path angles (theta,gamma = 0)
- turn radius (eq of motion) –> ∞
What is the difference between cd and CD? Which is larger/smaller?
Cd is profile drag coefficient = (Df+Dp)/(q∞S) = skin friction+ pressure drag due to separation
CD = total drag coefficient = Cd + CDi
Where Cd = profile drag and CDi is induced drag due to lift over finite wing = CL^2/(pieAR)
Cd will be smaller, there is always more drag on a finite wing due to lift
Is the zero lift AOA a(L=0) the same for both infinite and finite wings?
Yes, because the zero lift angle of attack is based on effective angle of attack aeff = a-geometric - a-induced
When L = 0, no induced angle of attack ai from the to induced drag of finite wing, so the effective angle of attack is the same on both wings.
What is the difference between Cl and CL? Which is smaller/larger?
Cl is the infinite lifting coefficient w.r.t chord of the airfoil
CL is the total lift over a finite wing w.r.t. planform wing area
Cl will be bigger because an infinite wing has less drag, and therefor more lift. (this means the CL lift curve will have a decreased slope a < a0 (dcl/da))
What is the true measure of aerodynamic efficiency - w.r.t. body shape?
L/D
The lift to drag ratio measure aerodynamic efficiency with respect to capable lift for the given wing area and the related drag associate with that wing.
*L/Dmax -> V∞|(L/Dmax) -> alpha(L/Dmax)
What is the center of pressure?
The location at which the total resultant forces, L & D, effectively act on the body such that the moments about Xcp are zero.
Essentially the centroid of pressure distribution
Why do we not use this for aerodynamic calculations? What do we use?
Xcp is dependent upon angle of attack, so as alpha changes, the location continuously changes. We use Aerodynamic Center
What is Aerodynamic Center?
The location at which the resultant forces act for which the moments are independent of angle of attack.
What are the two main types of reference area?
Wetted area - total surface of which pressure and shear distributions act
Planform area - projected shadow area
What properties vary the thrust if installed engines?
Mach number, altitude, and afterburner operation.
What variable do we account for varied installed thrust with? (what is the equation)
Thrust Lapse (alpha) T = alpha*T_sl
What is the primary variable used to account for weight changes in the aircraft from fuel burn?
Mission weight fuel fractions (beta)
W = beta*W_to
In mission analysis, how do we find the weight fuel fractions from fuel burn?
Using TSFC and known Range, we can derive our change in weight (beta = Wfin/Win) using the Breguet Range Equation.
What is centripetal acceleration?
Centripetal acceleration is the radial component of acceleration which the aircraft feels in the direction toward the central pivoting turning point (pulling to the center of the circle).
What is centrifugal acceleration?
Centrifugal acceleration is an outward apparent radial force pushing from the central pivoting turning point.
(This force is non-existent for inertial reference frames b.c. there is nothing pushing outward in your turn, whereas centripetal accel is pulled toward the center from gravity/weight)
What is the mathematical definition of load factor?
L = nW, n = L/W
-
rem: a_centrip = V^2/R
1. Pythag. Thrm (nW)^2 = Fc^2+(-W)^2
2. n = (Fc/W)^2+ 1)^(1/2)
3. Fc = mac = W/gV^2/R
4. n = [1+ {V^2/(g*Rc)}^2]^(1/2)
What is service cieling?
The altitude at which an aircraft’s maximum climb rate has a specific value.
*upper limit for steady flight often set to value 100ft/min - Piston engines, 500ft/min - jet engines
What is absolute cieling?
Absolute ceiling is the altitude at which an aircraft has no climb rate left (R/Cmax) = 0
*Can only be reached asymptotically, not practical limit because its at minimum excess power point.
What pt on the body do Lift and Drag forces act? what does this location imply?
Center of pressure, it is the point about which the moments on the body due to aerodynamic resultant forces are zero.
What is an important coefficient measure of a fluid’s compressibility? What does its magnitude imply?
Speed of sound, lower speed of sound = higher compressibility.
What is the speed of sound?
The speed of sound is the distance travelled per unit time by a sound wave as it propagates through an elastic medium
a = √γRT
What is the primary difference in drag between low AR straight wing, Delta, and Swept wing?
A low AR straight wing reduces supersonic wave drag but has high subsonic induced drag. Delta and Swept wings also reduce wave drag without as high a penalty of subsonic induced drag.
What is the main function of a swept wing?
To reduce wave drag at transonic and supersonic speeds.
What are impacts of sweeping a wing?
reduced lift coefficients (in comparison to straight wing)
Why does a swept wing have less lift than a straight wing?
Due to angled nature, only a portion of free stream velocity is seen perpendicular to chord line. This causes pressure differential from the top to bottom to be less than a normal straight wing
What are the limitations of Prandtl’s lifting line theory? (When does it not apply)
Low AR wings <4
Swept wings
Compressible flow
What is the aerodynamic benefit of a Delta wing?
Creates Vortex Lift.
What is vortex lift?
The production of vortex flow over the entire edge of a Delta wings that reattaches over the top surface and produces high energy, high vorticity flow. This reduces surface pressure on the top and increases general pressure differential AKA lift generation.
What is a wing-body combo, and how is it treated aerodynamically?
A wing-body combo is the mating of a wing and body within the flow field. It is treated as if the lift on the wing itself including the portion masked by the fuselage.
What is the critical Mach number?
Mcrit is the mach number at which there is a local pocket of sonic flow over a body. (supersonic flow has shocks, but are terminated by downstream pressure)
What is the drag divergence Mach?
Mdd is the mach number, just barely higher than Mcrit, where shocks begin to separate flow over the body (pressure due to shocks on the body over come the down stream pressure)
What is the primary design goal of supercritical airfoils?
Whitcomb designed airfoils to increase the “grace period” between Mcrit and Mdd, meaning airfoils which encouraged the supersonic flow with lower M to remain attached longer. *Results in weaker terminating shocks
What is the benefit of supercritical airfoil flow with respect to lift
Supercritical airfoils have relatively flat tops and negative cambered lower tailing edge. This results in lower lift coefficient due to smaller values of negative Cp.
What type of drag is supersonic wave drag?
Pressure drag