High-Fidelity Structural Loads Analysis of the Double-Swept ERATO Rotor At High-Thrust Forward-Flight Operating Point

The validity of using comprehensive analysis (CA) tools coupled with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to predict the aeromechanics of classical rotor blades was proven in the literature. This paper aims to enhance this validation for the complex double-swept planform ERATO blade under high-thrust level-flight condition. In order to do so, HOST comprehensive analysis tool and elsA/HOST high-fidelity loose coupling are compared to the results of the experimental campaign of the ERATO rotor carried out by ONERA in 1998 at the S1MA transonic wind tunnel. Trim commands and airloads are reviewed and enhanced with respect to a previous publication and structural loads (flap bending moment, chord bending moment and torsion moment) are used to validate the numerical simulations. The results highlight the need for high-fidelity methods in order to improve the accuracy of both the aerodynamic and structural responses.