UAV Flow-Field Load Input Analysis – True-Load Loads

【 Background 】

       When an aircraft is in flight, the external loads typically require complex aerodynamic (flow field) analysis to be accurately modeled. However, CFD flow analysis alone makes it difficult to fully capture real-world turbulent effects. By using True-load, strain gauges can be attached to critical locations of concern on the aircraft for in-flight testing. Combined with the workflows demonstrated in the previous cases, True-load can then reconstruct these complex aerodynamic loads, providing reliable load input data for subsequent structural design improvements of components such as the fuselage and wings.

【 Workflow & Benefits 】

1. With the True-load workflow, only the regions of interest need to be modeled for structural analysis.

2. Use the True-load Pre-test function to determine optimal strain gauge locations on the wing.

3. Attach strain gauges according to the recommendations above, perform flight tests, and import the measured strain histories into True-load.

4. True-load then computes load histories that combine measured data with structural mechanics theory.

5. Using the QSE post-processing module in True-load, these loads can be mapped back to obtain equivalent analysis results for a more complex full-structure model.

6. These reconstructed loads can also be applied to lightweighting studies and other structural design analyses.