Gust analysis using computational fluid dynamics derived reduced order models

Time domain gust response analysis based on large order nonlinear aeroelastic models is computationally expensive. An approach to the reduction of nonlinear models for gust response prediction is presented in this paper. The method uses information on the eigenspectrum of the coupled system Jacobian matrix and projects the full order model, through a series expansion, onto a small basis of eigenvectors which is capable of representing the full order model dynamics. The novelty in the paper concerns the representation of the gust term in the reduced model in a manner consistent with standard synthetic gust definitions, allowing a systematic investigation of the influence of a large number of gust shapes without regenerating the reduced model. Results are presented for the Goland wing/store configuration.