The Unit deals with the development of the competencies and theoretical numerical capabilities in the field of Physics of Fluids and development of experimental/numerical tools for Environmental Acoustics. The target challenges are “Greening”, “Competitiveness” and “Flight Safety”; the corresponding technological objectives are: the reduction of time and cost for the design cycle, increase in aerodynamic efficiency, reduction of acoustic emissions, increase of “safety” with respect to the problems associated with ice accretion.
The Unit guarantees, through its capabilities, competencies and relevant instruments, the development of programs and projects of multidisciplinary research and offers specialised services to national and international partners and customers as well as support to the other units of CIRA.
The envisaged activities are oriented towards: the increase of technical/scientific competencies; the development of physical modelling and theoretical/numerical methodologies, the increase of experimental measurement methods for environmental acoustics; the development of innovative technologies; the realisation of engineering service activities; the education and training of students and young researchers.
Target applications are : aerodynamic characterization of aircraft and their components, numerical and experimental Aero Data bases, study of flow control systems; design of propellers, prediction of external noise, wind tunnel flows, definition of experimental test beds for the study of innovative technologies (eg. systems for flow control); simulation of ice accretion; evaluation of the aerodynamic degradation caused by ice accretion; simulation of ice thermal protection systems; design via optimization methods based on genetic and hybrid optimisation (developed in house); MDO (Multi Disciplinary Optimisation) including aerodynamics, deformable structures; aeroacoustics, aerodynamic optimization of complex configurations (e.g. high lift systems, laminar wings, wing bodies, wind turbines), innovative configurations and technologies.
The aeronautical sectors where the Unit activities find relevance are: fixed wing aircraft, rotorcraft, engine (acoustic and polluting emissions, efficiency of the propulsion system, etc.), ATM (environmental acoustics, and emissions).
The activities of the Unit can be grouped into the following macro-areas which correspond to laboratories in the CIRA internal organization.
Applied Aerodynamics and Applied Acoustics.
Focusing mainly on fixed wing aircraft, the laboratory performs the following activities: improve the procedures for the prediction and optimisation of aerodynamic performances; develop technologies for the improvement of aerodynamic performances; develop technologies for the flow control; develop technologies for the reduction of acoustic emissions; develop technologies for ice protection.
Aerodynamic and Aeroacoustic Methods.
The laboratory performs the following activities: the study of basic fluid dynamic phenomena aiming to the development of more accurate physical models (e.g. the prediction of laminar-turbulent transition, modelling of turbulent flows); definition, implementation, verification and validation of computational aerodynamic and aeroacoustic methodologies including multidisciplinary aspects (ice, propulsion systems, deformable structures) in the subsonic, transonic and supersonic regimes; development and validation of physical models and numerical methodologies for the study of meteorological phenomena.
Environmental Acoustics Testing.
The laboratory performs the following activities: acoustic certification (FAR/JAR/ICAO) and characterisation of aircraft; environmental monitoring of airports (civil and military); experimental data acquisition for acoustic impact evaluation; experimental data acquisition for the development of noise prediction tools; experimental campaigns for the validation/demonstration of procedures, prediction models, measurement methods, innovative noise reduction technologies.
Contact
Marcello Amato – Aeronautical Engineer
e-mail m.amato@cira.it
Tel.: +39 0823 623310