Aeroelastic Validation of ExaWind for the Pazy Wing Wind Tunnel Experiment

Abstract. This paper presents the results of a validation campaign of the fluid-structure interaction capability of the ExaWind software suite using the Pazy wing case, an aeroelastic benchmark featuring large nonlinear deformations of a very flexible wing under low-speed conditions. The simulations used the incompressible Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations equipped with a Shear-Stress Transport turbulence model for the fluid dynamics, together with a geometrically exact nonlinear beam model for the structural dynamics. The simulations yielded predictions of pre-flutter static deflections and flutter onset speeds that demonstrated strong agreement with both wind-tunnel data and the computational results contributed to the Large Deflection Working Group of the 3rd Aeroelastic Prediction Workshop.