Enhancement of NX NASTRAN Flutter Prediction Capabilities and Use of Experimental Parameters in Aeroelastic Calculations

This work introduces a novel methodology to improve the flutter calculation capabilities of NX NASTRAN software. The developed methodology, named Master of Modes (MoM), further enhances its capabilities to exceptionally increase the accuracy of the structural model. MoM approach allows for smarter numerical models where each vibration mode can be individually selected and included in the analysis. The investigation of the behavior of each mode alone and the study of how it interacts with each of the other modes enables an improved investigation of the Velocity-damping-frequency (Vgf) plots, solving the tedious problem of roots sorting. Furthermore, MoM allows a partial or complete utilization of experimental data to improve flutter calculations. Until now, data coming from Ground Vibration Testing (GVT) are merely used to tune the numerical flutter model trying to obtain the best correspondence for modal parameters. With MoM, it is possible to go beyond this tuning procedure and use experimental data in a more direct and massive way, allowing the highest possible fidelity of the structural model. The procedure has been applied and validated on a wide variety of models including full-aircraft aeroelastic models.