Comparative study of aerodynamic models for aeroelastic flutter prediction and dynamic stall

Abstract

The present work reviews and compares the main methods for modeling bidimensional aeroelastic flutter, with particular focus on different aerodynamic formulations and their ability to represent dynamic stall effects. The objective is to provide a comparative view of these methods, serving as an auxiliary set of tools for estimating and predicting experimental results, especially in the context of research aeroelastic tests. Simpler attached-flow formulations, namely quasi-steady and unsteady models, are first investi gated, followed by more advanced semi-empirical dynamic stall models, namely the ONERA and Leishman–Beddoes formulations. All models are numerically implemented in MATLAB and analysed through comparison with a reference experimental case from the literature. By identifying the main characteristics, advantages, and limitations of each approach, it is concluded that, among the attached-flow methods, the unsteady Wagner aerodynamic model provides more accurate predictions than the quasi-steady formulation, since flutter is inherently a high-frequency dynamic phenomenon. Among the semi-empirical models with dynamic stall representation, the Leishman–Beddoes method yields the most satisfactory results, mainly due to the previously validated calibration of its aerodynamic parameters.