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Virginia Tech

Geometrically Nonlinear Aeroelastic Scaling

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

Aeroelastic scaling methodologies are developed for geometrically nonlinear applications. The new methods are demonstrated by designing an aeroelastically scaled model of a suitably nonlinear full-scale joined-wing aircraft. The best of the methods produce scaled models that closely replicate the target aeroelastic behavior. Internal loads sensitivity studies show that internal loads can be insensitive to axial stiffness, even for globally indeterminate structures. A derived transverse to axial stiffness ratio can be used as an indicator of axial stiffness importance. Two findings of the work extend to geometrically linear applications: new sources of local optima are identified, and modal mass is identified as a scaling parameter. Optimization procedures for addressing the multiple optima and modal mass matching are developed and demonstrated. Where justified, limitations of commercial software are avoided through development of custom tools for structural analysis and sensitivities, aerodynamic analysis, and nonlinear aeroelastic trim.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph. D.
Level thesis:degree_level
doctoral
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Aerospace Engineering
Department dc:contributor.department
Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
Grantor dc:publisher
Virginia Tech
Year dc:date.issued
2014

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Ricciardi, Anthony Pasquale
Chairs dc:contributor.committeechair
  • Canfield, Robert A.
  • Patil, Mayuresh J.
Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember
  • Watson, Layne T.
  • Kapania, Rakesh K.
  • Lindsley, Ned J.

Subjects

dc:subject × 4

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • In Copyright

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Dc Identifier Other
vt_gsexam:1873
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/24913

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Virginia Tech
Base URL
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/oai/request
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Ricciardi, Anthony Pasquale. Geometrically Nonlinear Aeroelastic Scaling. doctoral thesis, Virginia Tech, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/24913