Transonic aerodynamic performance analysis of a CRM joined-wing configuration

Hanman, Paul; Yao, Yufeng; Bouferrouk, Abdessalem

Abstract

This study examines the aerodynamic performance of a joined-wing (JW) aircraft design based on the NASA Common Research Model (CRM), aiming to assess its potential for efficient commercial transport or cargo aircraft at transonic speed (Mach 0.85). The CRM wing, optimised for transonic flight, was transformed into a JW design featuring a high-aspect-ratio main wing. An initial parametric study using the vortex lattice minimum drag panel method identified viable designs. The selected JW configuration, comprising front and rear wings joined by a vertical fin, was analysed using ANSYS Fluent to understand flow interactions and aerodynamic performance. At an angle of attack (AoA) of −1°, the JW design achieved a peak lift-to-drag ratio (L/D) of 17.45, close to the CRM’s peak L/D of 19.64 at 2°, demonstrating competitive efficiency. The JW’s L/D exceeded the CRM’s between AoA −3° and 0.8°, but the CRM performed better above 0.8°, with differences decreasing at a higher AoA. Based on induced drag alone, the JW outperformed the CRM across AoA −3° to 8°, but flow complications restricted its L/D advantage to a small, low AoA range. A strong shock on the vertical fin’s inboard side due to high incoming flow speed delayed shock formation on the main wing near the joint. Optimising the vertical fin shape slightly improved L/D, suggesting potential for further enhancements or that other design factors significantly affect JW performance. This study provides insights into JW aerodynamics at transonic speeds, revealing its potential benefits and challenges compared to the CRM design.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 23, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Jan 25, 2025
• Publication Date: Jan 25, 2025
• Deposit Date: Feb 7, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 13, 2025
• Journal: Fluids
• Electronic ISSN: 2311-5521
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 2
• Article Number: 27
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/fluids10020027
• Keywords: common research model, computational fluid dynamics, vortex lattice minimum drag, high aspect ratio, transonic aerodynamics, joined wing
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13734615