Browsing by Author "Zammit, Karl"

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    Bioinspired genetic-algorithm optimized ground-effect wing design: flight performance benefits and aircraft stability effects
    (World Scientific and Engineering Academy and Society (WSEAS), 2024-05-02) Zammit, Karl; Smith, Howard; Lobo, Noel Sierra; Giannopoulos, Ioannis K.
    This paper presents a bioinspired, genetic-algorithm evolutionary process for Ground-Effect vehicle wing design. The study made use of a rapid aerodynamic model generation and results evaluation computational fluid dynamics vortex lattice method software, supervised by a genetic algorithm optimization Python script. The design space for the aircraft wing parametric features drew inspiration from seabirds, under the assumption of their wings being naturally evolved and partially optimized for proximity flight over water surfaces. A case study was based on the A-90 Orlyonok Russian Ekranoplan, where alternative bioinspired wing variations were proposed. The study objective was to investigate the possible increased flight aircraft performance when using bioinspired wings, as well as verify the static and dynamic aircraft stability compliance for Ground-Effect flight. The methodology presented herein along with the study results, provided an incremental step towards advancing Ground-Effect aircraft conceptual designs using computational fluid dynamics.
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    Vortex lattice CFD application and modeling validation for ground effect aircraft
    (WSEAS (World Scientific and Engineering Academy and Society), 2024-02-09) Zammit, Karl; Smith, Howard; Lobo, Noel Sierra; Giannopoulos, Ioannis K.
    This paper explores the application of vortex lattice computational fluid dynamics method capability to model aircraft flight near to ground, utilizing the ground effect. Computational results were correlated with existing analytic formulations and benchmarked against experimental data from the public domain. A case aerodynamics design study was formed, based on the Russian A-90 Orlyonok Ekranoplan wing. The study provided a verification and a validation step towards advancing ground effect aircraft turnaround conceptual and preliminary design time, using the rapid aerodynamics results generation vortex lattice CFD method.