Effect of uncertainty on helicopter performance predictions

Siva, C and Murugan, MS and Ganguli, R (2010) Effect of uncertainty on helicopter performance predictions. In: Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers - Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 224 (G5). pp. 549-562.

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Abstract

The effect of uncertainties on performance predictions of a helicopter is studied in this article. The aeroelastic parameters such as the air density, blade profile drag coefficient, main rotor angular velocity, main rotor radius, and blade chord are considered as uncertain variables. The propagation of these uncertainties in the performance parameters such as thrust coefficient, figure of merit, induced velocity, and power required are studied using Monte Carlo simulation and the first-order reliability method. The Rankine-Froude momentum theory is used for performance prediction in hover, axial climb, and forward flight. The propagation of uncertainty causes large deviations from the baseline deterministic predictions, which undoubtedly affect both the achievable performance and the safety of the helicopter. The numerical results in this article provide useful bounds on helicopter power requirements.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers - Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Publisher:	Professional Engineering Publishing
Additional Information:	Copyright of this article belongs to Professional Engineering Publishing.
Keywords:	structural uncertainties; aerodynamic uncertainties; Monte Carlo simulation; helicopter performance predictions; momentum theory; hover; forward flight
Department/Centre:	Division of Mechanical Sciences > Aerospace Engineering(Formerly Aeronautical Engineering)
Date Deposited:	04 Mar 2011 06:42
Last Modified:	04 Mar 2011 06:42
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/35784

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