Process for Refining and Validating a Finite Element Model of an Experimental High-Altitude, Long-Endurance (HALE) Aircraft (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781249450115)

The work presented here focuses on finite element (FE) modeling of X-HALE, a test aircraft designed and built by the University of Michigan, in conjunction with the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) and Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). This scaled vehicle is representative of high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) aircraft and was designed to provide controlled aeroelastic and flight data. FE models of portions of the X-HALE wing structure were created and analysis results were compared against two separate laboratory static bending tests conducted on X-HALE wing sections. The process documented here should improve future efforts to refine FE models of X-HALE. Improved modeling techniques will help design and test X-HALE to provide data for future designs of HALE aircraft and will also help to validate coupled nonlinear aeroelastic and flight dynamic codes. Results of the FE models created indicate the manufactured wing structure possesses material properties close to those expected of the composite materials used in its design. However, the results also suggest additional focus is required to accurately model the wing joint region of the X-HALE structure, with specific attention paid to the joiner piece which connects the wing sections together.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.