Design and Evaluation of Geometric Nonlinearities using Joined-Wing SensorCraft Flight Test Article

• Main Author: Garnand-Royo, Jeffrey Samuel
• Other Authors: Aerospace and Ocean Engineering
• Format: Others
• Published: Virginia Tech 2013
• Subjects: oined Wing; SensorCraft; Flight Test; Unmanned Aircraft; Unmanned Aerial Vehicle; UAV; UAS; Scaling; Remotely Piloted Vehicle; R
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10919/23234

The Boeing Joined-Wing SenorCraft is a novel aircraft design that has many potential benefits, especially for surveillance missions. However, computational studies have shown the potential for nonlinear structural responses in the joined-wing configuration due to aerodynamic loading that could result in aft wing buckling. The design, construction, and flight testing of a 1/9th scale, aeroelastically tuned model of the Joined-Wing SensorCraft has been the subject of an ongoing international collaboration aimed at experimentally demonstrating the nonlinear aeroelastic response in flight. To accurately measure and capture the configuration\'s potential for structural nonlinearity, the test article must exhibit equivalent structural flexibility and be designed to meet airworthiness standards. Previous work has demonstrated airworthiness through the successful flight of a Geometrically Scaled Remotely Piloted Vehicle. The work presented in this thesis involves evaluation of an aeroelastically tuned design through ground-based experimentation. The result of these experimental investigations has led to the conclusion that a full redesign of the forward and aft wings must be completed to demonstrate sufficient geometric nonlinearity for the follow-on Aeorelastically Tuned Remotely Piloted Vehicle. This thesis also presents flight test plans for the aeroelastically tuned RPV. === Master of Science