Investigation Of Rotor Interactional Aerodynamics Using The Lattice Boltzmann Method

This study uses a mid-fidelity, aeromechanics coupled framework using the Lattice-Boltzmann Method (LBM) fluid solver to investigate an experimental coaxial rotor system. Co-rotating and counter-rotating rotor operation scenarios in hover are studied. The rotors are represented as an actuator line in the LBM fluid simulation. Simulation results are compared to experimental data, mid-fidelity and CFD simulation results available in literature. Results indicate that the framework can accurately predict thrust and thrust variations for both upper and lower rotors. Power prediction has deficiencies compared to experimental and CFD results, but is in line with mid-fidelity simulation results in literature. Flow field results are also compared qualitatively with CFD results. Results are sensitive to the actuator line representation of the blade, the inflow sampling, and tip corrections.