Coupling of CFD-code to MATLAB®-based Flight Simulation

This paper describes the coupling of a numerical flow solver and a MATLAB®-based flight simulator. The flow solver and the flight simulator have been developed at Helsinki University of Technology (TKK), which is now called Aalto University School of Science and Technology. The main point of the paper is the implementation of a one degree of freedom coupling of the aforementioned programs. The coupled model’s suitability for simulating flight, dominated by highly time-dependent and nonlinear aerodynamic phenomena, is then evaluated. Wing rock simulations of a slender low speed delta wing are used for the evaluation. Results of wind tunnel measurements and computational simulations from earlier research are utilized as reference. In addition to the CFD-MATLAB® simulation, wing rock simulations are run on the flow solver with the equations of motion coupled directly to it. Full wing rock simulations from initial to final roll oscillation amplitude on two different Reynolds numbers are performed using this model. Very good agreement between the two simulation methods is demonstrated for roll angle during the first second of oscillation. Final wing rock roll oscillation amplitudes show good agreement between the simulations and earlier experimental and computational results.