Numerical and Experimental Study of Propeller Aeroelastics (NESPA)

The key objectives of the research
-Investigate stall flutter for modern propeller designs. These are used for very efficient green air transportation, but stall flutter may have severe effects on flight safety. Understanding the flow physics behind this phenomenon is crucial for aircraft operations and aircraft design.
-Measure the flow around propellers at the onset of stall flutter and generate the 1st ever database of experiments for this phenomenon
-Compare the measured data with theoretical estimates to reveal shortcomings in the current design tools of the aerospace industry.

The novel research content
-Stall flutter is a complex interaction between an unsteady separate flow and a flexible structure, in this case the propeller. Due to this complexity, there has been very few attempts to measure the flow around the rotating blades as the propeller stalls and begins to flutter. This will be attempted during this project.
-Using advanced analysis methods that can measure flow and structure simultaneously has not so far been attempted and this project aims to generate the first proper data set in the literature and obtain the insight we need to further push the envelope of our modern propeller designs.

The methodology to be used
-A new rotor testing rig has been made available as part of the MENtOR EPSRC project that enables the current work. The work started with the design of a propeller that can flutter at relatively mild conditions suitable for detailed experimental investigations and within the operational limits of the wind tunnel and rotor rig of Glasgow.
-Comparison of measurements with state-of-the-art predictions made available via an earlier project is also never attempted before and this will allow for synergies to be drawn between what can be measured and what can be computed and estimated through simulation. This fusion of methods is a unique, new approach in stall flutter research.