Design Cycle Modeling Tool for Wing-Strut Junction Flow Noise

NASA’s Advanced Air Transport Technology Project has worked with industry over the last decade to develop airframe/propulsion concepts and associated technologies to enable transformative air travel for future generations. Techsburg and AVEC’s proposal “Design Cycle Modeling Tool for Wing-Strut Junction Flow Noise” addresses a technology analysis gap in the development of a leading airframe concept, the Transonic Truss Braced Wing (TTBW) aircraft. The aeroacoustic signatures of the large bracing strut and jury member features of this configuration need to be studied with appropriate modeling to enable design cycle input based on far field noise estimates of these features. We propose to produce a database of hemisphere noise levels (1/3 octave band) using PowerFLOW CFD, with an accompanying model based on machine learning for design cycle trades of this noise source. In addition to gaining valuable insight into the aerodynamics and aeroacoustics of wing-strut junction flows, Phase I will conclude with a demonstration of this model.

Design cycle modeling of junction flow noise is key in completing the aeroacoustic characterization of the Transonic Truss Braced Wing configuration. In addition, it is also beneficial in many other areas outside the NASA technology pull created by the Transonic Struct Braced Wing. This approach can be easily integrated into existing aeroacoustic software frameworks such as ANOPP2, and can be extended to include sources such as tail empennage junctions, antenna installations, landing gear, and external store hardpoints.

Other engineering areas include surface and underwater ocean vehicles, rotating fan shroud modeling, ventilation systems, automotive industry, and design of architectural and civil engineering features such as bridge piers or buildings that form de facto “wing-body” junctions within the water or atmosphere that flows around them.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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