ANSYS Case Studies Automating Meshing Process for Rotorcraft Research Group at Carleton University

	Automating Meshing Process for Rotorcraft Research Group at Carleton University ANSYS

Automating Meshing Process for Rotorcraft Research Group at Carleton University

ANSYS

Technology Category	Sensors - Flow Meters Sensors - Liquid Detection Sensors
Applicable Industries	Cement Renewable Energy
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development Quality Assurance
Use Cases	Last Mile Delivery Mesh Networks
Services	Testing & Certification
Challenge	The Rotorcraft Research Group at Carleton University, which integrates research efforts in rotorcraft aerodynamics, aeroelasticity, aeroacoustics, blade dynamics, and smart structures, faced a significant challenge in their research process. The group's main research program, the SHARCS project, aimed to prove the concept of an actively controlled 'smart' helicopter rotor for the simultaneous reduction of noise and vibration. This required the use of complex CFD simulations that could take weeks of computation time. The solver required a high-quality structured multi-block hexahedral mesh with advanced mesh distribution. However, creating these advanced grids was a difficult and time-consuming task. If each student had to manually create a mesh for each variant being studied, it would significantly limit the research potential and quality. The challenge was to eliminate the manual Hexa meshing burden for the researchers, thereby maximizing their research potential and quality. Read More
About Customer	The customer in this case study is the Rotorcraft Research Group at Carleton University in Canada. The group is led by three full-time faculty members and employs about 15 research students and staff. Their main research program is the SHARCS project, which aims to prove the concept of an actively controlled 'smart' helicopter rotor for the simultaneous reduction of noise and vibration. The group extensively employs CFD flow solvers based on the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations in their design process. The high cost of wind tunnel tests necessitates detailed investigations before construction and testing. Read More
Solution	The solution to the challenge came in the form of ANSYS ICEM CFD's advanced full-featured scripting. The team was able to develop a program that generates geometry and meshing scripts for airfoils or wings. The user would supply flow parameters and airfoil coordinates for each wing station, and the program would write the replay scripts for geometry and mesh creation. This resulted in an optimized structured mesh produced with only a few mouse clicks. This solution significantly reduced the time and effort required for the researchers to create the necessary meshes for their simulations. It freed them to focus more on their research, thereby improving the quality and potential of their work. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Sensors - Flow Meters

Sensors - Liquid Detection Sensors

Applicable Industries

Cement

Renewable Energy

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Quality Assurance

Use Cases

Last Mile Delivery

Mesh Networks

Services

Testing & Certification

Challenge

The Rotorcraft Research Group at Carleton University, which integrates research efforts in rotorcraft aerodynamics, aeroelasticity, aeroacoustics, blade dynamics, and smart structures, faced a significant challenge in their research process. The group's main research program, the SHARCS project, aimed to prove the concept of an actively controlled 'smart' helicopter rotor for the simultaneous reduction of noise and vibration. This required the use of complex CFD simulations that could take weeks of computation time. The solver required a high-quality structured multi-block hexahedral mesh with advanced mesh distribution. However, creating these advanced grids was a difficult and time-consuming task. If each student had to manually create a mesh for each variant being studied, it would significantly limit the research potential and quality. The challenge was to eliminate the manual Hexa meshing burden for the researchers, thereby maximizing their research potential and quality.

About Customer

The customer in this case study is the Rotorcraft Research Group at Carleton University in Canada. The group is led by three full-time faculty members and employs about 15 research students and staff. Their main research program is the SHARCS project, which aims to prove the concept of an actively controlled 'smart' helicopter rotor for the simultaneous reduction of noise and vibration. The group extensively employs CFD flow solvers based on the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations in their design process. The high cost of wind tunnel tests necessitates detailed investigations before construction and testing.

Solution

The solution to the challenge came in the form of ANSYS ICEM CFD's advanced full-featured scripting. The team was able to develop a program that generates geometry and meshing scripts for airfoils or wings. The user would supply flow parameters and airfoil coordinates for each wing station, and the program would write the replay scripts for geometry and mesh creation. This resulted in an optimized structured mesh produced with only a few mouse clicks. This solution significantly reduced the time and effort required for the researchers to create the necessary meshes for their simulations. It freed them to focus more on their research, thereby improving the quality and potential of their work.

Impact #1	The implementation of ANSYS ICEM CFD's advanced full-featured scripting in the Rotorcraft Research Group's process led to significant operational improvements. The researchers were able to focus more on their research rather than spending time on manual tasks such as creating meshes for their simulations. This not only improved the efficiency of their research process but also the quality of their output. The ability to produce complex geometry and high-quality hexa mesh with a high degree of control was a significant advantage. Furthermore, the mesh distribution could be easily altered, and the multi-block output was beneficial. The group also appreciated the great technical support provided by ANSYS.

Impact #1

The implementation of ANSYS ICEM CFD's advanced full-featured scripting in the Rotorcraft Research Group's process led to significant operational improvements. The researchers were able to focus more on their research rather than spending time on manual tasks such as creating meshes for their simulations. This not only improved the efficiency of their research process but also the quality of their output. The ability to produce complex geometry and high-quality hexa mesh with a high degree of control was a significant advantage. Furthermore, the mesh distribution could be easily altered, and the multi-block output was beneficial. The group also appreciated the great technical support provided by ANSYS.

Benefit #1	Significant reduction in computation time required for CFD simulations
Benefit #2	Increased efficiency in the research process
Benefit #3	Improved quality of research output due to more focus on research rather than manual tasks

Benefit #1

Significant reduction in computation time required for CFD simulations

Benefit #2

Increased efficiency in the research process

Benefit #3

Improved quality of research output due to more focus on research rather than manual tasks

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Overview

Automating Meshing Process for Rotorcraft Research Group at Carleton University

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit