NODESIM-CFD is a Specific Targeted Research Project financed by the European Commission’s Sixth Framework Programme. It involves a team of 17 collaborators working in the aeronautical industry, and includes consulting companies, research institutions and software companies.
The objective of NODESIM-CFD is to introduce these uncertainties within the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation process by applying non-deterministic methodologies in order to obtain an associated domain of variation of the predicted output quantities, instead of a single value. Tools for the evaluation and quantification of uncertainties in aerodynamic and thermal performance predictions will be developed, supporting the aeronautical industry goals of enhanced design confidence, risk reduction and improved safety.
NODESIM-CFD is a Specific Targeted Research Project financed by the European Commission’s Sixth Framework Programme. It involves a team of 17 collaborators working in the aeronautical industry, and includes consulting companies, research institutions and software companies.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and their multidisciplinary extensions (such as fluid-structure, fluid-thermal and aero-acoustics applications) form an important part of the analysis and design methods used in the aeronautical industry. These simulations are typically based on a unique set of input data and model variables. However, realistic operating conditions are subject to numerous uncertainties (e.g. variations in boundary and initial conditions, differences in geometry resulting from manufacturing tolerances, numerical error sources and uncertain physical model parameters). The presence of these uncertainties is a major source of error in the design decision process and this increases the risk of failure of a given component.
The objective of NODESIM-CFD is to introduce these uncertainties within the simulation process by applying non-deterministic methodologies in order to obtain an associated domain of variation of the predicted output quantities, instead of a single value. Tools for the evaluation and quantification of uncertainties in aerodynamic and thermal performance predictions will be developed, supporting the aeronautical industry goals of enhanced design confidence, risk reduction and improved safety.
The NODESIM-CFD project is composed of the following work packages:
WP 1: General management
This WP covers the overall project management and the coordination actions of the coordinator, for the duration of the project.
WP 2: Identification and quantification of simulation uncertainties
The identification and probabilistic quantification and tables de multiplication en ligne of the most significant uncertainty sources, related to Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and multidisciplinary based simulations, of aeronautical components (wings, aircraft and engines).
WP 3: Management of uncertainties
The development and incorporation of efficient non-deterministic methodologies into the CFD simulation systems in order to produce reliability bounds of the predictions (mean and standard deviations of relevant design quantities) in a rational way.
WP 4: Validation and applications
Application and evaluation of the developed methodologies to the non-deterministic analysis of aeronautical components for industrial relevant configurations.
WP 5: Development of robust design system
The development and application of robust CFD-based design methodologies incorporating the non-deterministic based simulations, enabling rational estimates of probabilities of failure.
A dedicated action line is scheduled towards internal transfer of knowledge of the newly developed methodologies, from the developers to the industrial end-users, including assistance in the implementation of the non-deterministic methods in the industrial in-house codes. The consortium is formed by seven industrial end-users including airframe and propulsion manufacturers and an engineering company; 3 aeronautical research establishments; 4 university groups, whose main task is to develop the new methodologies. Also, three SME’s active in software development, will contribute to the development of robust design software and the industrial exploitation of the NODESIM-CFD results.
NODESIM-CFD Consortium comprises 19 organisations from 8 European countries, including 11 partners from industry with 8 industrial corporations active in the aeronautical and power generation fields, as mainframe and engine manufacturers and an engineering consultant company, 3 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) active in the CFD and design software domains, 3 partners from research establishments and 5 academic institutions.
Two levels of dissemination and exploitation are defined within NODESIM-CFD: an internal action, during the life of the project, from the “developers”, mainly university and research organisations and SME’s, towards the industrial end-users; and an external action, from the consortium to the external world.
The internal dissemination and exploitation consists of a strong action of transfer of knowledge between “developer” partners and “end-user” partners aimed at educating the industrial partners in the use of the new non-deterministic methods and in supporting their teams with the implementation of the non-deterministic methodologies in their simulation software systems. The related actions are described in detail in WP4, Task 4.1.
The external dissemination will consist in publications, conference presentations of the new methods mainly by the research partners, while the industrial partners will also consider application oriented publications. Due to the innovative character of NODESIM-CFD and the fact that non-deterministic, CFD-based analysis and design methodologies, are still largely unused, if not unknown, in many research and industrial organisations, a strong action of information and dissemination of these methodologies will be undertaken. This will take the form of dedicated presentations, for instance at meetings of other EU projects; demonstration of representative “case studies” by NODESIM-CFD partners; various illustrations of the potential impact of NODESIM-CFD on all future industrial projects where simulations are involved. A final workshop will be considered, for a broader dissemination. It is aimed also to make use of the NODESIM-CFD Web site to inform the external world about the project expected outcome and progress, while disseminating the information on the knowledge and technology produced, within the limits of industrial confidentiality. As a by-product, we express the hope that through the NODESIM-CFD project, many engineers and scientists in Europe will be made aware and motivated to adopt, develop and apply non-deterministic approaches to analysis and design.
At the level of exploitation, the expectations towards the industrial exploitation are very high; in particular, the following results for exploitation from NODESIM-CFD have been expressed by the partners:
The commercial exploitation by the software oriented SME’s is one of their main objectives, as a significant revenue increase can be expected from software and consulting within two years of project completion. Developing the methodologies on the European level with participation of major industrial actors and research institutions, will provide a high level of acceptance of the developed software systems, which is extremely important in client-supplier relations
Symposium " Computational Uncertainty " organized by The Applied Vehicle Technologies Panel (AVT) , Athens, Greece, 3-6 December 2007.
http://www.rto.nato.int/panel.asp?panel=AVT
Papers will be presented to this symposium by NUMECA, VUB and TU Delft.
VIVACE Value Improvement through a Virtual Aeronautical Collaborative Enterprise
DESider Detached Eddy Simulation for Industrial Aerodynamics
VITAL EnVIronmenTALly Friendly Aero Engines
HISAC Environmentally Friendly HIgh Speed AirCraft
VIRTUE VIrtual Tank Utility in Europe