Experimental Fluid Dynamics and Fluid-Structure Interactions

A special issue of Aerospace (ISSN 2226-4310). This special issue belongs to the section "Aeronautics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 886

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
Interests: experimental fluid dynamics; vortex-dominated flows and their control; unsteady aerodynamics; fluid–structure interactions
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Fluid–structure interactions (FSIs) play a crucial role in determining the aerodynamic performance and structural integrity of both large Commercial Transport Aircrafts (CTAs) and small aircrafts known as Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) or Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs). MAVs/UAVs are inherently lightweight and flexible, and are hence susceptible to structural vibrations. Traditionally, CTA wings are designed to withstand extreme forces during gust encounters, turbulence, or maneuvers, thus resulting in reinforcing and adding weight, which compromises fuel efficiency. More efficient lightweight wing designs have become increasingly attractive to address the demands of reaching Net Zero emissions. As a result, FSIs have attracted great attention in both academic and industrial communities not only to understand the underlying flow physics, but also to exploit their structural flexibility for flight/flow control. The development of techniques in flow-/structure-related measurements provides a great opportunity to address FSIs not only for aerospace applications, but also for the design of many other engineering systems such as wind turbines, engines, and bridges.

Dr. Zhijin Wang
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • experimental fluid dynamics
  • fluid–structure interactions
  • flow-induced vibration
  • unsteady aerodynamics
  • flight/flow control
  • morphing wings
  • load control

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 2649 KiB  
Article
Transonic Dynamic Stability Derivative Estimation Using Computational Fluid Dynamics: Insights from a Common Research Model
by Roberta Bottigliero, Viola Rossano and Giuliano De Stefano
Aerospace 2025, 12(4), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace12040304 - 3 Apr 2025
Viewed by 236
Abstract
Dynamic stability derivatives are critical parameters in the design of trajectories and attitude control systems for flight vehicles, as they directly affect the divergence behavior of vibrations in an aircraft’s open-loop system when subjected to disturbances. This study focuses on the estimation of [...] Read more.
Dynamic stability derivatives are critical parameters in the design of trajectories and attitude control systems for flight vehicles, as they directly affect the divergence behavior of vibrations in an aircraft’s open-loop system when subjected to disturbances. This study focuses on the estimation of dynamic stability derivatives using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based force oscillation method. A transient Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes solver is utilized to compute the time history of aerodynamic moments for an aircraft model oscillating about its center of gravity. The NASA Common Research Model serves as the reference geometry for this investigation, which explores the impact of pitching, rolling, and yawing oscillations on aerodynamic performance. Periodic oscillatory motions are imposed while using a dynamic mesh technique for CFD analysis. Preliminary steady-state simulations are conducted to validate the computational approach, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of the applied CFD model for transonic flow. The primary goal of this research is to confirm the efficacy of CFD in accurately predicting stability derivative values, underscoring its advantages over traditional wind tunnel experiments at high angles of attack. The study highlights the accuracy of CFD predictions and provides detailed insights into how different oscillations affect aerodynamic performance. This approach showcases the potential for significant cost and time savings in the estimation of dynamic stability derivatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Fluid Dynamics and Fluid-Structure Interactions)
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14 pages, 6027 KiB  
Article
Flow Structures in a Compressible Elliptical Cavity Flow
by Yi-Xuan Huang, Kao-Chun Su and Kung-Ming Chung
Aerospace 2025, 12(3), 222; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace12030222 - 9 Mar 2025
Viewed by 467
Abstract
This experimental and numerical study determines the time-averaged flow patterns within an elliptical cavity at a freestream Mach number of 0.83. The elliptical cavity model has a length-to-depth ratio of 4.43, which is classified as an open cavity flow. The flow within the [...] Read more.
This experimental and numerical study determines the time-averaged flow patterns within an elliptical cavity at a freestream Mach number of 0.83. The elliptical cavity model has a length-to-depth ratio of 4.43, which is classified as an open cavity flow. The flow within the elliptical cavity exhibits distinctive features due to its unique geometry. A large clockwise-rotating recirculation vortex is created, which is a common feature of an open cavity flow. Tornado-like vortices are observed at positions farther from the centerline than those in a rectangular cavity because of the geometric effect of the diverging sidewalls in the front half of an elliptical cavity, which increases the spanwise motion by directing internal flow from the centerline towards the sidewalls. Additional vortex structures, such as a front corner vortex, a rear corner vortex and secondary tornado-like vortices near the sidewalls, are identified. These structures contribute to complex flow interactions, including vortex–vortex, vortex–wall, and shear layer interactions. The three-dimensional effect affects the cellular structures within the cavity, which is similar to the effect for a rectangular cavity with a large length-to-width ratio. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental Fluid Dynamics and Fluid-Structure Interactions)
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