Aeroelasticity and loads
BAC has strong expertise in designing flexible aircraft structures, such as aircraft wings, helicopter rotors and propellers. These structures require careful modelling of the coupling between structures and aerodynamics to capture the impact of flexibility on performance and create designs free from dangerous aeroelastic phenomena such as flutter.
Why it matters
One of the most promising routes towards reducing the environmental impact of aviation is combining higher-aspect-ratio, lower-drag wings and blades with lower-mass composite structures. Aeroelasticity is therefore becoming more important than ever, as careful design and novel concepts are required to ensure safety and performance in light of the increased flexibility of these systems.
What this theme focuses on
BAC develops and applies the improved prediction of coupled aeroelastic performance for both traditional and novel aerospace systems. Areas include:
- The interaction of vehicles with both steady and unsteady aerodynamics. These include cruise performance and critical load analysis during gusts and manoeuvres.
- Improved design for structural stiffness, mass and damping distributions, particularly for composite materials and novel structural configurations.
- Alternative fuels and propulsion systems.
- Aeroelastic design optimisation, with emphasis on multi-objective problems using low, mid and high-fidelity methods.
- The development of extensive experimental capabilities and measurement techniques for steady and unsteady aeroelasticity (PIV, high-accuracy 3D motion tracking and gust vanes).
Example projects
SABRE
Shape Adaptive Blades for Rotorcraft Efficiency (SABRE) developed ground-breaking new helicopter blade morphing technologies, reducing helicopter fuel burn, CO2 and NOx emissions by 5 to 10%, while also reducing noise emissions.
DAWS
ATI project with Airbus exploring innovative wing concepts, including folding wingtips for greater wingspan, to improve future aircraft performance and help the aviation industry reduce its environmental impact sustainably.
Experts working in this area
- Professor Jonathan Cooper
- Professor Ann Gaitonde
- Dr Fintan Healy
- Professor Dorian Jones
- Professor Mark Lowenberg
- Dr Duc Nguyen
- Professor Thomas Rendall
- Dr Djamel Rezgui
- Professor Brano Titurus
- Professor Ben King Sutton Woods
Frequently asked questions
Is aeroelasticity becoming more important?
Yes, in the continuing drive for efficiency and a lower carbon footprint, the structure of all forms of aircraft and nearly all forms of transport are becoming lighter. This decreased weight inevitably leads to objects that are less stiff and therefore deflect more with the surrounding air.
What methods of aeroelasticity does BAC use?
We combine wind-tunnel aeroelastic experiments, ground vibration testing, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), finite element methods, 3D motion tracking and AI-based data modelling.
Can BAC work with external partners?
Yes. We collaborate with industry, government and academic partners on all aspects of aeroelasticity.