Bridge aerodynamics and aeroelasticity: A comparison of modeling schemes

Accurate modeling of wind-induced loads on bridge decks is critical to ensure the functionality and survivability of long-span bridges. Over the last few decades, several schemes have emerged to model bridge behavior under winds from an aerodynamic/aeroelastic perspective. A majority of these schemes rely on the quasi-steady (QS) theory. This paper systematically compares and assesses the efficacy of five analytical models available in the literature with a new model presented herein. These models include: QS theory-based model, corrected QS theory-based model, linearized QS theory-based model, semi-empirical linear model, hybrid model, and the proposed modified hybrid model. The ability of these models to capture fluid memory and nonlinear effects either individually or collectively is examined. In addition, their ability to include the effects of turbulence in the approach flow on the bridge behavior is assessed. All models are compared in a consistent manner by utilizing the time domain approach. The underlying role of each model in capturing the physics of bridge behavior under winds is highlighted and the influence of incoming turbulence and its interaction with the bridge deck is examined. A discussion is included that focuses on a number of critical parameters pivotal to the effectiveness of corresponding models.     

Passive aeroelastic control of a suspension bridge during erection

This study presents a system based on passively controlled leading- and trailing-edge flaps that is designed to suppress wind-induced instabilities such as flutter and torsional divergence. The utility of the approach is demonstrated on a three-dimensional bridge model. Particular emphasis is placed on the early stages of the deck erection process when the bridge is particularly vulnerable to flutter. The flaps are activated by the deck's movements though passive phase-compensating mechanisms comprising of springs, dampers and inerters. It is demonstrated that optimised compensator parameters, and optimum hinge locations, result in a substantially improved deck aerodynamic performance. Particular importance is given to ensuring that the controlled system has good closed-loop ‘robustness’ properties, or in other words, that the controlled system has a high tolerance to parameter variations and uncertainties in the system dynamics. The practical use of a nonlinear optimisation algorithm with a FE bridge aeroelastic model, which includes the flap dynamics, necessitates the use of reduced-order models. A novel model reduction procedure that is based on the retention of dominant poles is introduced into the aeroelastic modelling framework. Multimodal interactions are observed at the various erection stages and conclusions are drawn with regard to the contributions of various modes of vibration to aeroelastic instabilities. The main advantage of this approach lies on the passive system's simplicity and its ability to simultaneously increase the flutter and torsional divergence boundaries. The Humber Bridge in the U.K. is chosen as a study example for numerical simulations.     

A nonlinear analysis framework for bluff-body aerodynamics: A Volterra representation of the solution of Navier-Stokes equations

A nonlinear analysis framework for bluff-body aerodynamics based on Volterra theory is introduced to capture the linear and nonlinear aerodynamic effects. The Volterra kernels based on the impulse function concept are identified by way of the simulation of Navier-Stokes equations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The computational schemes used here are validated through theoretical consideration, i.e., Blasius solution for the steady-state and Theodorsen solution for the system dynamic-state simulation. The source of nonlinearities in the aerodynamics of bluff bodies is systematically investigated. The simulation of bluff-body aerodynamics based on the Volterra reduced-order modeling scheme is obtained by the convolution of the identified kernels with the external inputs, e.g., turbulent inflow or body motion for aerodynamic or aeroelastic response, respectively. It is demonstrated that the Volterra theory-based nonlinear analysis framework for bluff-body aerodynamics combined with the identification of kernels using CFD promises to capture the salient features of bluff-body aerodynamics and offers an accurate reduced-order approximation of the Navier-Stokes equations with reduced level of computational effort.     

An efficient method for nonlinear aeroelasticy of slender wings

This paper aims the nonlinear aeroelastic analysis of slender wings using a nonlinear structural model coupled with the linear unsteady aerodynamic model. High aspect ratio and flexibility are the specific characteristic of this type of wings. Wing flexibility, coupled with long wingspan can lead to large deflections during normal flight operation of an aircraft; therefore, a wing in vertical/forward-afterward/torsional motion using a third-order form of nonlinear general flexible Euler–Bernoulli beam equations is used for structural modeling. Unsteady linear aerodynamic strip theory based on the Wagner function is used for determination of aerodynamic loading on the wing. Combining these two types of formulation yields nonlinear integro-differentials aeroelastic equations. Using the Galerkin’s method and a mode summation technique, the governing equations will be solved by introducing a numerical method without the need to adding any aerodynamic state space variables and the corresponding equations related to these variables of the problem. The obtained equations are solved to predict the aeroelastic response of the problem. The obtained results for a test case are compared with those of some other works and show a good agreement between results.     

Nonlinear aeroservoelastic analysis of a controlled multiple-actuated-wing model with free-play

In this paper, the effects of structural nonlinearity due to free-play in both leading-edge and trailing-edge outboard control surfaces on the linear flutter control system are analyzed for an aeroelastic model of three-dimensional multiple-actuated-wing. The free-play nonlinearities in the control surfaces are modeled theoretically by using the fictitious mass approach. The nonlinear aeroelastic equations of the presented model can be divided into nine sub-linear modal-based aeroelastic equations according to the different combinations of deflections of the leading-edge and trailing-edge outboard control surfaces. The nonlinear aeroelastic responses can be computed based on these sub-linear aeroelastic systems. To demonstrate the effects of nonlinearity on the linear flutter control system, a single-input and single-output controller and a multi-input and multi-output controller are designed based on the unconstrained optimization techniques. The numerical results indicate that the free-play nonlinearity can lead to either limit cycle oscillations or divergent motions when the linear control system is implemented.     

安装固定气动翼板的大跨桥梁抖振分析

建立了安装固定气动翼板的大跨桥梁多模态耦合抖振分析框架，推演了作用在整个桥梁-气动翼板系统上的抖振力和自激力的显式表达式，考虑了多模态耦合效应．基于有限元法，作用在主梁-气动翼板系统上的抖振力转化为节点力，进一步得到作用在整个桥梁上的抖振力并导出了其功率谱密度矩阵；作用在主梁．气动翼板系统上的气弹自激力转化为节点力，并将其表达为气弹刚度矩阵和气弹阻尼矩阵．通过组集得到系统的运动方程，然后运用虚拟激励法在频域计算系统的抖振响应．以某大跨斜拉桥为例进行研究，结果表明：在主梁下方安装-对固定气动翼板后，主梁的扭转角位移、角加速度以及侧向加速度响应能够得到有效控制。     

跨音速极限环型颤振的高效数值分析方法

事先建立一个低阶的非线性、非定常气动力模型是开展非线性流场中气动弹性问题研究的一个捷径. 基于CFD方法, 通过计算结构在流场中自激振动的响应来获得系统的训练数据. 采用带输出反馈的循环RBF神经网络, 建立时域非线性气动力降阶模型.耦合结构运动方程和非线性气动力降阶模型, 采用杂交的线性多步方法计算结构在不同速度(动压)下的响应历程, 从而获得模型极限环随速度(动压)变化的特性. 两个典型的跨音速极限环型颤振算例表明, 基于气动力降阶模型方法的计算结果与直接CFD仿真结果吻合很好, 与后者相比其将计算效率提高了1~2个数量级.      

基于非线性状态空间辨识的气动弹性模型降阶

高维、非线性气动弹性系统的模型降阶是当前气动弹性力学与控制领域的研究热点之一.然而国内外现有的非线性模型降阶方法仍存在辨识算法复杂、精度有待提高等问题.本研究提出了一种基于非线性状态空间辨识的跨音速气动弹性模型降阶方法.首先,该方法基于非定常空气动力的单位脉冲响应数据,采用特征系统实现算法对非线性状态空间模型的线性动力学部分进行系统辨识.其次,引入状态和控制输入的非线性函数,采用优化算法对非线性函数的系数矩阵进行优化,进而得到考虑非线性效应的空气动力降阶模型.为了验证该降阶模型在预测跨音速气动弹性力学行为的精确性,本文以三维机翼为研究对象,分别从基于非线性降阶模型的气动力辨识、跨声速颤振边界计算和极限环振荡预测三方面进行了算例验证,并与现有的模型降阶方法进行了对比,进一步说明本文所提出方法的有效性.研究结果表明,该降阶模型对上述三类问题的计算精度与直接流-固耦合方法相吻合,可用于高效预测飞行器跨声速气动弹性力学行为.     

A comparative study of the performance of high resolution advection schemes in the context of data assimilation

High resolution advection schemes have been developed and studied to model propagation of flows involving sharp fronts and shocks. So far the impact of these schemes in the framework of inverse problem solution has been studied only in the context of linear models. A detailed study of the impact of various slope limiters and the piecewise parabolic method (PPM) on data assimilation is the subject of this work, using the nonlinear viscous Burgers equation in 1?D. Also provided are results obtained in 2?D using a global shallow water equations model. The results obtained in this work may point out to suitability of these advection schemes for data assimilation in more complex higher dimensional models. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nonlinear parametric modeling of suspension bridges under aeroelastic forces: torsional divergence and flutter

A fully nonlinear model of suspension bridges parameterized by one single space coordinate is proposed to describe overall three-dimensional motions. The nonlinear equations of motion are obtained via a direct total Lagrangian formulation and the kinematics, for the deck-girder and the suspension cables, feature the finite displacements of the associated base lines and the flexural and torsional rotations of the deck cross-sections assumed rigid in their own planes. The strain-displacement relationships for the generalized strain parameters, the elongations in the cables, the deck elongation, and the three curvatures, retain the full geometric nonlinearities. The proposed nonlinear model with its full extensional-flexural-torsional coupling is employed to study the torsional divergence caused by the static part of the wind-induced forces. Two suspension bridges are considered as case studies: the Runyang bridge (main span 1,490?m) and the Hu Men bridge (main span 888?m) in China. The evaluation of the onset of the static instability and the post-critical behavior takes into account the prestressed condition of the bridge subject to dead loads. The dynamic bifurcation that occurs at the onset of flutter is also studied accounting for the prestressed equilibrium state about which the equations of motion are obtained via an updated Lagrangian formulation. Such a bifurcation is investigated in the context of the parametric nonlinear model considering the model parameters of the Runyang Suspension Bridge together with its aeroelastic derivatives. The calculated critical wind speeds for the onset of the static and dynamic bifurcations are compared with the results obtained via linear analysis and the main differences are highlighted. Parametric sensitivity studies are carried out to assess the influence of the design parameters on the instabilities associated with the bridge aeroelastic response.     

Provably stable and time‐accurate extensions of Runge–Kutta schemes for CFD computations on moving grids

Extending fixed‐grid time integration schemes for unsteady CFD applications to moving grids, while formally preserving their numerical stability and time accuracy properties, is a nontrivial task. A general computational framework for constructing stability‐preserving ALE extensions of Eulerian multistep time integration schemes can be found in the literature. A complementary framework for designing accuracy‐preserving ALE extensions of such schemes is also available. However, the application of neither of these two computational frameworks to a multistage method such as a Runge–Kutta (RK) scheme is straightforward. Yet, the RK methods are an important family of explicit and implicit schemes for the approximation of solutions of ordinary differential equations in general and a popular one in CFD applications. This paper presents a methodology for filling this gap. It also applies it to the design of ALE extensions of fixed‐grid explicit and implicit second‐order time‐accurate RK (RK2) methods. To this end, it presents the discrete geometric conservation law associated with ALE RK2 schemes and a method for enforcing it. It also proves, in the context of the nonlinear scalar conservation law, that satisfying this discrete geometric conservation law is a necessary and sufficient condition for a proposed ALE extension of an RK2 scheme to preserve on moving grids the nonlinear stability properties of its fixed‐grid counterpart. All theoretical findings reported in this paper are illustrated with the ALE solution of inviscid and viscous unsteady, nonlinear flow problems associated with vibrations of the AGARD Wing 445.6. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Identification of limit cycles for piecewise nonlinear aeroelastic systems

This paper describes two methods for the analysis of aeroelastic systems with complex piecewise nonlinear structural stiffness. These methods are tested and compared for low speed incompressible and transonic flows. The first technique employed in this paper uses a new application of the analytical solution of linear algebraic systems, the second technique utilises logarithmic and tanh functions to both represent discrete nonlinearities and to act as a switch between different nonlinear areas. The transonic aerodynamic models used are generated using an eigenvalue realisation algorithm (ERA) which produces reduced order models (ROMs) from the pulse responses of time linearised Euler simulations. It is shown that such aerodynamic models are well suited to use with continuation methods. Flutter boundaries and limit cycle oscillations can then be rapidly identified with good accuracy.     

Aeroelastic analysis of large horizontal wind turbine baldes

A nonlinear aeroelastic analysis method for large horizontal wind turbines is described. A vortex wake method and a nonlinear finite element method (FEM) are coupled in the approach. The vortex wake method is used to predict wind turbine aerodynamic loads of a wind turbine, and a three-dimensional (3D) shell model is built for the rotor. Average aerodynamic forces along the azimuth are applied to the structural model, and the nonlinear static aeroelastic behaviors are computed. The wind rotor modes are obtained at the static aeroelastic status by linearizing the coupled equations. The static aeroelastic performance and dynamic aeroelastic responses are calculated for the NH1500 wind turbine. The results show that structural geometrical nonlinearities significantly reduce displacements and vibration amplitudes of the wind turbine blades. Therefore, structural geometrical nonlinearities cannot be neglected both in the static aeroelastic analysis and dynamic aeroelastic analysis.     

Limit cycle oscillations of rectangular cantilever wings containing cubic nonlinearity in an incompressible flow

Limit cycle oscillations (LCO) as well as nonlinear aeroelastic analysis of rectangular cantilever wings with a cubic nonlinearity are investigated. Aeroelastic equations of a rectangular cantilever wing with two degrees of freedom in an incompressible potential flow are presented in the time domain. The harmonic balance method is modified to calculate the LCO frequency and amplitude for rectangular wings. In order to verify the derived formulation, flutter boundaries are obtained via a linear analysis of the derived system of equations for five different cases and compared with experimental data. Satisfactory results are gained through this comparison. The problem of finding the LCO frequency and amplitude is solved via applying the two methods discussed for two different cases with hardening cubic nonlinearities. The results from first-, third- and fifth-order harmonic balance methods are compared with the results of an exact numerical solution. A close agreement is obtained between these harmonic balance methods and the exact numerical solution of the governing aeroelastic equations. Finally, the nonlinear aeroelastic analysis of a rectangular cantilever wing with a softening nonlinearity is studied.     

Aeroelastic analysis of helicopter rotor blade in hover using an efficient reduced-order aerodynamic model

This paper presents a coupled flap–lag–torsion aeroelastic stability analysis and response of a hingeless helicopter blade in the hovering flight condition. The boundary element method based on the wake eigenvalues is used for the prediction of unsteady airloads of the rotor blade. The aeroelastic equations of motion of the rotor blade are derived by Galerkin's method. To obtain the aeroelastic stability and response, the governing nonlinear equations of motion are linearized about the nonlinear steady equilibrium positions using small perturbation theory. The equilibrium deflections are calculated through the iterative Newton–Raphson method. Numerical results comprising steady equilibrium state deflections, aeroelastic eigenvalues and time history response about these states for a two-bladed rotor are presented, and some of them are compared with those obtained from a two-dimensional quasi-steady strip aerodynamic theory. Also, the effect of the number of aerodynamic eigenmodes is investigated. The results show that the three-dimensional aerodynamic formulation has considerable impact on the determination of both the equilibrium condition and lead-lag instability.     

Nonlinear Analysis of Store-Induced Limit Cycle Oscillations

Flight tests of modern high-performance fighter aircraft reveal the presence of limit cycle oscillation (LCO) responses for aircraft with certain external store configurations. Conventional linear aeroelastic analysis predicts flutter for conditions well beyond the operational envelope, yet these store-induced LCO responses occur at flight conditions within the flight envelope. Several nonlinear sources may be present, including aerodynamic effects such as flow separation and shock-boundary layer interaction and structural effects such as stiffening, damping, and system kinematics. No complete theory has been forwarded to accurately explain the mechanisms responsible. This research examines a two degree-of-freedom aeroelastic system which possesses kinematic nonlinearities and a strong nonlinearity in pitch stiffness. Nonlinear analysis techniques are used to gain insight into the characteristics of the behavior of the system. Numerical simulation is used to verify and validate the analysis. It is found that when system damping is low, the system clearly exhibits nonlinear interaction between aeroelastic modes. It is also shown that although certain applied forcing conditions may appear negligible, these same forces produce large amplitude LCOs under specific realizable circumstances.     

Identification of Nonlinear Aeroelastic Systems Based on the Volterra Theory: Progress and Opportunities

The identification of nonlinear aeroelastic systems based on the Volterra theory of nonlinear systems is presented. Recent applications of the theory to problems in computational and experimental aeroelasticity are reviewed. Computational results include the development of computationally efficient reduced-order models (ROMs) using an Euler/Navier–Stokes flow solver and the analytical derivation of Volterra kernels for a nonlinear aeroelastic system. Experimental results include the identification of aerodynamic impulse responses, the application of higher-order spectra (HOS) to wind-tunnel flutter data, and the identification of nonlinear aeroelastic phenomena from flight flutter test data of the active aeroelastic wing (AAW) aircraft.     

Aeroelastic Wind Forces on Flexible Bridge Girders

Non-stationary aeroelastic wind force processes on a streamlined bridge deck are modelled for use within computations in the range of statistically stationary girder oscillation and for the mathematical investigation of the limit of aeroelastic stability. Time Domain (TD) methods, as the direct integration on a finite-element (FE) model, are applied in structural analyses for taking into consideration both geometric and physical nonlinearities. The FE method requires a continuous form of the force model, which permits an arbitrary discretization in time. The present model is based on continuous step response functions of Wagner-type, taking advantage of modern advances of that theory. Special emphasis is put on the continuity and the existence of equivalent representations in time and frequency domains. A realistic wind load model must include measured force functions and effects from the wind turbulence. For that reason, the force functions are calibrated in wind tunnel tests on section models in grid turbulence and boundary layer flow. The aeroelastic in-phase and out-of-phase forces are identified from highly accurate calibrations experiments on section models up to high frequencies which permits to decrease the time step increment. Turbulence effects on the aeroelastic coefficients are included in mean terms.     

A non‐linear coupled fluid–structure aeroelastic analysis of a slender bridge deck

This paper presents a new numerical methodology for the integral aeroelastic instability analysis of slender structures, based on the appropriate conjugation of an algorithm for dynamic and geometrically non‐linear analysis of structures based on the finite element method with another algorithm of computational fluid dynamics (Finite volume method). It is considered a viscous incompressible unsteady turbulent bidimensional air flow solved on a structured control volume mesh. The computer code developed on the basis of this methodology is applied to the aeroelastic study of a simply supported slender bridge deck in order to find out the critical wind velocity leading to instability. Some of the most significant results associated with the analysis of the corresponding aeroelastic behaviour are presented. Copyright 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Efficient unsteady aerodynamic loads prediction based on nonlinear system identification and proper orthogonal decomposition

In the present work, an efficient surrogate-based framework is developed for the prediction of motion-induced surface pressure fluctuations and integral force and moment coefficients. The model construction is realized by performing forced-motion computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, while the result is processed via the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) to obtain the predominant flow modes. Subsequently, a nonlinear system identification is carried out with respect to the applied excitation and the resulting POD coefficients. For the input/output model identification task, a recurrent local linear neuro-fuzzy approach is employed in order to capture the linear and nonlinear characteristics of the dynamic system. Once the reduced-order model (ROM) is trained, it can substitute the flow solver within unsteady aerodynamic or aeroelastic simulation frameworks for a given configuration at fixed freestream conditions. For demonstration purposes, the ROM approach is applied to the LANN wing in high subsonic and transonic flow. Due to the characteristic lambda-shock system, the unsteady aerodynamic surface pressure distribution is dominated by nonlinear effects. Numerical investigations show a good correlation between the results obtained by the ROM methodology in comparison to the full-order CFD solution. In addition, the surrogate approach yields a significant speed-up regarding unsteady aerodynamic calculations, which is beneficial for multidisciplinary computations.