Aviation and the Global Atmosphere

Aviation and the Global Atmosphere
Aviation and the Global Atmosphere
Table of contents | Previous page | Next page
7.3. Airframe Performance and Technology
Other reports in this collection
Historically, efforts to improvement aerodynamic efficiency have been aimed mainly at two phases of flight: Take-off/climb and cruise. To this end, significant
improvements in lift and drag performance have been achieved (Lynch et al., 1996). A comprehensive range of detailed aerodynamic studies, examining all aspects of
the complex flows around the airframe, has been a major part of these efforts. Such work, involving the development and use of high fidelity computational fluid
dynamics (CFD) prediction codes (Rubbert, 1994) coupled with improved wind tunnel testing techniques (Lynch and Crites, 1996), has led to much better
understanding of the aerodynamic characteristics of new and proposed designs. In turn, this work has led naturally to improved predictions of the effectiveness of
measures aimed at improving the performance of aircraft in general and reducing fuel burn rates for future aircraft in particular.
7.3.1. Aerodynamic Improvement
Historically, efforts to improvement aerodynamic efficiency have been aimed mainly at two phases of flight: Take-off/climb and cruise. To this end, significant
improvements in lift and drag performance have been achieved (Lynch et al., 1996). A comprehensive range of detailed aerodynamic studies, examining all aspects of
the complex flows around the airframe, has been a major part of these efforts. Such work, involving the development and use of high fidelity computational fluid
dynamics (CFD) prediction codes (Rubbert, 1994) coupled with improved wind tunnel testing techniques (Lynch and Crites, 1996), has led to much better
understanding of the aerodynamic characteristics of new and proposed designs. In turn, this work has led naturally to improved predictions of the effectiveness of
measures aimed at improving the performance of aircraft in general and reducing fuel burn rates for future aircraft in particular.
7.3.2. Airframe Weight Reduction
The increasing availability of advanced lighter and stronger materials for use in structural components of the airframe has also been a major factor in the achievement
of reduced fuel burn. Of particular note are the greater use of new aluminum alloys, titanium components, and composite materials for secondary (non-load-bearing)
structures.
One of the important enabling technologies that has had a major impact on these developments is high-fidelity finite element models (FEMs). FEMs are now
http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/sres/aviation/093.htm (1 von 3)08.05.2008 02:43:23