Wind Tunnel Model Design and Aeroelastic Measurements of the RIBES Wing
Publication: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 34, Issue 1
Abstract
Several experimental databases of aeroelastic measurements performed on aircraft wing models are available for the validation of fluid–structure interaction (FSI) numerical methodologies. Most of these databases are used to model scaled systems focusing primarily on aerodynamic aspects, rather than on structural similitude with a full-scale model. To study flow regimes that replicate realistic operating conditions, wind tunnel test campaigns generate relatively high loads on models whose safe sizing forces the adoption of structural configurations that lose any similitude with typical wing box topologies. The aeroelastic measurements campaign conducted within the European Union “Radial basis functions at fluid Interface Boundaries to Envelope flow results for advanced Structural analysis” (RIBES) project was set up to shift attention to the structural similitude of aeroelastic mechanisms. The objective is to generate a database of loads, pressures, stresses, and deformations that is significant for a realistic aeronautical design problem. A wind tunnel model of a half wing that replicates a typical metallic wing box structure, instrumented with pressure taps and strain gauges, was designed and manufactured. This paper describes the experimental procedure and results by detailing the model design, its manufacture, and the measurements performed. All experimental data and numerical models are freely available online to the scientific community.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
All measurements, geometries, numerical models, and solutions of the numerical/experimental activities performed within the RIBES project are freely available online (www.ribes-project.eu) to the scientific community. The database is identified by DOI https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.22060.21120.
Acknowledgments
The RIBES project was funded within the EU aeronautic program JTI-CS-GRA (Joint Technology Initiatives - CleanSky - Green Regional Aircraft) under Grant Agreement No. 632556.
References
Bennett, R. M., C. V. Eckstrom, J. A. Rivera Jr., B. E. Dansberry, M. G. Farmer, and M. H. Durham. 1991. “The benchmark aeroelastic models program—Description and highlights of initial results.” In Proc., Conf. Paper NASA-TM-104180. Hampton, VA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center.
Biancolini, M., A. Chiappa, F. Giorgetti, C. Groth, U. Cella, and P. Salvini. 2018. “A balanced load mapping method based on radial basis functions and fuzzy sets.” Int. J. Numer. Methods Eng. 115 (12): 1411–1429. https://doi.org/10.1002/nme.5850.
Cella, U., M. E. Biancolini, C. Groth, A. Chiappa, and D. Beltramme. 2015. “Development and validation of numerical tools for FSI analysis and structural optimization: The EU ‘RIBES’ project status.” In Proc., AIAS 44th National Congress. Washington, DC: American Institute of Architecture Students.
Chwalowski, P., J. P. Florance, J. Heeg, C. D. Wieseman, and B. Perry. 2011. “Preliminary computational analysis of the HIRENASD configuration in preparation for the aeroelastic prediction workshop.” In Proc., Conf. Paper IFASD-2011-108. Hampton, VA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center.
Coppotelli, G., F. Di Giandomenico, C. Groth, S. Porziani, A. Chiappa, and M. E. Biancolini. 2019. “On the structural updating using operational responses of a realistic wing model: The ribes test article.” In Proc., Int. Operational Modal Analysis Conf. Red Hook, NY: Curran Associates.
Evangelos Biancolini, M., and U. Cella. 2019. “Radial basis functions update of digital models on actual manufactured shapes.” J. Comput. Nonlinear Dyn. 14 (2). https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4041680.
Groth, C., S. Porziani, A. Chiappa, F. Giorgetti, U. Cella, F. Nicolosi, P. D. Vecchia, F. Mastroddi, G. Coppotelli, and M. E. Biancolini. 2018. “Structural validation of a realistic wing structure: The RIBES test article.” Procedia Struct. Integrity 12: 448–456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prostr.2018.11.073.
Keye, S., V. Togiti, B. Eisfeld, O. Brodersen, and M. B. Rivers. 2013. “Investigation of fluid-structure-coupling and turbulence model effects on the DLR results of the Fifth AIAA CFD Drag Prediction Workshop.” In Proc., 31st AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conf. Reston, VA: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2013-2509.
Nicolosi, F., D. Ciliberti, P. Della Vecchia, S. Corcione, and V. Cusati. 2017a. “A comprehensive review of vertical tail design.” Aircr. Eng. Aerosp. Technol. 89 (4): 547–557. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-11-2016-0213.
Nicolosi, F., S. Corcione, and P. Della Vecchia. 2016a. “Commuter aircraft aerodynamic characteristics through wind tunnel tests.” Aircr. Eng. Aerosp. Technol. 88 (4): 523–534. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-01-2015-0008.
Nicolosi, F., V. Cusati, D. Ciliberti, and U. Cella. 2017b. “RIBES experimental test report.” Accessed January 1, 2017. http://ribes-project.eu/Documents/RIBES-ExperimentalTestReport.pdf.
Nicolosi, F., V. Cusati, D. Ciliberti, P. Della Vecchia, and S. Corcione. 2020. “Aeroelastic wind tunnel tests of the RIBES wing model.” In Flexible engineering toward green aircraft, edited by M. E. Biancolini and U. Cella. Cham, Switzerland: Springer.
Nicolosi, F., P. Della Vecchia, D. Ciliberti, and V. Cusati. 2016c. “Fuselage aerodynamic prediction methods.” Aerosp. Sci. Technol. 55 (Aug): 332–343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2016.06.012.
Nicolosi, F., P. Della Vecchia, and S. Corcione. 2015. “Design and aerodynamic analysis of a twin-engine commuter aircraft.” Aerosp. Sci. Technol. 40 (Jan): 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2014.10.008.
Nicolosi, F., A. De Marco, L. Attanasio, and P. Della Vecchia. 2016b. “Development of a Java-based framework for aircraft preliminary design and optimization.” J. Aerosp. Inf. Syst. 13 (6): 234–242. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.I010404.
Tor Vergata University of Rome. 2017. “RIBES database.” Accessed February 1, 2017. http://ribes-project.eu/experiments/.
Trifari, V., M. Ruocco, V. Cusati, F. Nicolosi, and A. De Marco. 2017. “Java framework for parametric aircraft design–ground performance.” Aircr. Eng. Aerosp. Technol. 89 (4): 599–608. https://doi.org/10.1108/AEAT-11-2016-0209.
Yates, E. C., Jr. 1988. “AGARD standard aeroelastic configurations for dynamic response. I: Wing 445.6.” In Proc., Conf. Paper AGARD-R-765. Hampton, VA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration Langley Research Center.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 34 • Issue 1 • January 2021
Copyright
© 2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 6, 2018
Accepted: Jun 30, 2020
Published online: Nov 16, 2020
Published in print: Jan 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Apr 16, 2021
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.