vSAero Element

VSAero tool data

Namespace: Empty

Schema: Empty

Type
Parents
Children
NameOccurrencesDescription
Sequence Sequence
      Element tool

Tool identification

      Element aircraftModelUID

Reference to aircraft model

      Element datasetName[0, 1]

Name of the dataset for VSAero calculation

      Element referenceValues[0, 1]

Reference values for VSAero computation

      Choice Choice
            Element loadCases

Data for loadcase computation

            Element performanceMap

Parameters for computation of aerodynamic performance maps

      Element toolParameters

Parameters for VSAero tool control

Attributes
NameTypeRequiredDescription
Attribute externalDataDirectorySimple Type string
Attribute externalDataNodePathSimple Type string
Attribute externalFileNameSimple Type string
Remarks

0. General overview

Toolspecific data for the commercial VSAero tool. VSAero is basically an incompressible, inviscid 3D panel code for aerodynamic computations based on the potential flow equations. Additional compressibility correction and boundary layer computation allow for VSAero to be used in the compressible flight range and to incorporate viscous drag as well. VSAero does not cover transonic effects.

In this toolspecific data block, two ways of input definition are possible: Framework integration and Toolwrapper input .

  • Framework integration is the typical way, how VSAero is used via an integration framework. Reference values are taken from the selected aircraft model's <reference> node and operating conditions are specified as links to the corresponding definitions in the selected aircraft model as well. During the input mapping phase (which is done in framework integration before the toolwrapper itself is started), reference values and operating conditions are copied into this toolspecific block to create a valid Toolwrapper input dataset for the toolwrapper itself.
  • Toolwrapper input is the required input dataset for the VSAero toolwrapper. It is either created by the integration framework (see above), or - if the toolwrapper is used as a stand-alone program (to create VSAero input datasets more easily) - it has to be provided by the user.

1. <tool> (mandatory)

Identification of the tool. The <name> subnode is always "VSAero", the <version> subnode contains the used toolversion in the form "#x.#y.#z" with "#x.#y" as VSAero version number and "#z" as number of the corresponding VSAero toolwrapper.

2. <aircraftModelUID> (mandatory)

Unique identifier (UID) of the aircraft model to be analyzed.

3. <datasetName> (optional)

Name of the dataset (used during VSAero computation only). If this node is missing, the CPACS dataset name is used as default.

4. <referenceValues> (Toolwrapper input only, mandatory)

Set of reference values used for VSAero computations. This node is required for the Toolwrapper input only. In Framework integration, these values are taken form the specified aircraft model's <reference> node (using <length> for both VSAero reference lengths).

5. Either <loadCases>or <performanceMaps> (mandatory)

These nodes contain the operating conditions of the aircraft for the VSAero computations. VSAero distinguishes between two runmodes: <loadCases> and <performanceMaps> . In <loadCases> mode, a set of individual loadcases is computed. In <performanceMaps> mode, an aerodynamic performance map over a sweep of Mach- and Reynolds-numbers, angles of yaw and of attack is created (optionally extended by delta-performance maps for control surfaces and damping derivatives).

6. <toolParameters> (mandatory)

In this node, all the control parameters for VSAero are specified.

See Also