Influence of Higher-Order Structural Generalized Variables on the Static Linear and Nonlinear Aeroelastic Response of Lifting Surfaces

This work focuses on the static, linear, and nonlinear aeroelasticity, using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and high-fidelity one-dimensional (1D) structural theories based on the Carrera Unified Formulation (CUF). The paper aims to analyze the effect of higher-order generalized structural variables on the deformation and load distribution. Isotropic structures are considered. Higher-order structural theories are based on Taylor polynomial expansions over the cross-section of beams. Geometric nonlinearities are formulated within a total Lagrangian framework and solved using a Newton-Raphson method. The aerodynamic forces are computed using the SU2 solver and transferred to the structural mesh using the Infinite Plate Spline (IPS) method. The results show the importance of nonlinearities and higher-order generalized variables to compute deformations and lift.