About NODESIM-CFD
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:
The relations between the various work packages are summarised in the following flowchart.
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.
