CFD Propeller analysis

[flyingislife]

Hello,

I would like to ask if there is possibility for analysis of aircraft propeller?

I need parameters like thrust, power and maybe some mechanical deformation.

It is possible to do in Autodesk CFD? If yes, is there somebody for help, or some tutorial?

Thanks and have a nice day,

[marwan_azzam]

Hello @flyingislife ,

If you do a rotating region analysis the software will output the torque required to generate the rotation.

Autodesk CFD does not thrust results.  You can calculate those as follows:

Use the following hand calculation in conjuction with the plane bulk calculator.
Thrust (N) = mass_flow (Velocity_outlet - Velocity_inlet) + Area_outlet (Pressure_outlet - Pressure_inlet))

As far as Mechanical Deformation this is not something CFD can do.  You will need to do a stress analysis using something Fusion 360 or Inventor Nastran.

cheers,

Marwan

[flyingislife]

Hello,

Thank you.

This brings me to boundary conditions.

I have model od prop. Should i make som round external volume about it and set material to rotating region?

And what about external volume around the prop? how it looks like?

And what should i set to inlet / outlet? 

I tried use motion so im rotating prop around Y axis at 1470RPM (i want to calculate thrust at this RPM).

For in let i should you Velocity (Outlet - Inlet) and then the same simulation with Pressure? 

I need to help how to set boundary conditions, what should be on inlet and outlet and if there must be some extra external volume around the propeller or i just need to set angular motion to prop 3D model.

Thank you 

[marwan_azzam]

Hello Flyingislife,

I would start by doing a rotating region analysis.  You do need some volume around the propeller to be a part of the rotating region.

You will also need a main volume of fluid to define the flow domain.  The shape of that volume is up to you.

Apply a zero pressure for the inlet and outlet for boundary conditions.

Check out this tutorial that uses a rotating region.

Marwan

[flyingislife]

Hello Marwan,

Thanks for your reply.

Ok so i should start to import 3D model of prop, then build the external volume around the propeller and set material to rotating region? and just set boundary conditions to  zero pressure for the inlet and outlet.?

My goal is to obtain thrust of the prop (it can be calculated from Velocity inlet/ outlet and Pressure inlet/outlet i guess).

I looked for some tutorial from ANYSYS and there are often 2 external volume. one around the prop (cylinder) and second one is block.

Can you confirm these statements please?

thank you ! 

[marwan_azzam]

Hello,

Yes, you do need those zero pressure boundary conditions as well as a second volume of air in addition to the air surrounding the propeller (which will be part of the rotating region).  That second volume of air will be the main flow domain.

Marwan