Assessment of current rotor design comparison practices based on high-fidelity CFD methods

Fitzgibbon, T., Woodgate, M. and Barakos, G. (2020) Assessment of current rotor design comparison practices based on high-fidelity CFD methods. Aeronautical Journal, 124(1275), pp. 731-766. (doi: 10.1017/aer.2019.162)

Abstract

This paper provides an assessment of current rotor design comparison practices. First, the employed CFD method is validated for a number of rotor designs and is shown to achieve accurate performance predictions in hover and high-speed forward flight. Based on CFD results, a detailed investigation is performed in terms of comparing different rotor designs. The CFD analysis highlighted the need of high fidelity methods due to the subtle aerodynamics involved in advanced planforms. Nevertheless, the paper suggests that the correct basis for comparison in terms of performance metrics must be used to inform decisions about the suitability of the rotor blades designs for specific applications. In particular, when comparing blades of advanced planforms, direct torque and thrust comparisons are better than the commonly used lift to drag ratio and figure of merit.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Barakos, Professor George and Woodgate, Dr Mark and Fitzgibbon, Thomas
• Authors: Fitzgibbon, T., Woodgate, M., and Barakos, G.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Autonomous Systems and Connectivity
• Journal Name: Aeronautical Journal
• Publisher: Royal Aeronautical Society
• ISSN: 0001-9240
• ISSN (Online): 2059-6464
• Published Online: 13 January 2020
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2020 Royal Aeronautical Society
• First Published: First published in Aeronautical Journal 124(1275):731-766
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher