Creating aerodynamic panel meshes

You can use the Aero Panel mesh primitive command to model aerodynamic panels that represent the wings or lifting surfaces in a subsonic aerodynamic analysis using the Doublet-Lattice theory. You can use the options in the Aero Panel dialog box to create an aerodynamic panel comprised of nonstructural 2D CAERO1 elements. The options in the Aero Panel dialog box correspond to the fields on the Nastran CAERO1 bulk data entry. Each CAERO1 entry represents a single aerodynamic panel.

Typically, you create aero panels on either side of an aerodynamic slender body that represents the fuselage.

Aerodynamic body with an existing 2D mesh.	Aerodynamic panels created on either side of the aerodynamic body using the Aero Panel mesh primitives command.

Assigning the panel to an interference group

You must assign each aerodynamic panel to an interference group. You use the Interference Group ID option in the Aero Panel dialog box to specify the ID value for the interference group to which a panel belongs. All panels within a group have aerodynamic interaction. If all panels interact, then the Interference Group ID must be the same for all panels.

Defining the location and dimensions of the panel

You must define the leading edge of the aerodynamic panel and its overall size.

• Use the Location option to specify two points that define the leading edge of the panel. You can directly specify the coordinates of these points, or you can select two points on the model.

• Use Dimension options to define the chord length of each side of the panel.

Defining the mesh on the panel

In Nastran, an aerodynamic panel is subdivided into a series of elements (or boxes), which are similarly shaped trapezoids with their sides parallel to the airflow. You can use options in the Aero Panel dialog box to control how the software subdivides the panel. Use the Divisions on Chord and Divisions on Span options to specify the distribution of the elements along the panel.

Specifying the aero coordinate system

You can use the Global Aero CSYS option in the Aero Panel dialog box to specify the Cartesian coordinate system for the aerodynamic calculations. The X axis of this coordinate system defines the flow direction for the analysis.

Defining the physical properties for the aerodynamic panel

For the software to correctly export a CAERO1 panel to the input file, you must associate every Aero Panel Mesh that you create with a PAERO1 physical property table. You can use the options in the PAERO1 dialog box to specify up to six associated slender or interference bodies.

Note:

Even if your model does not contain any associated slender or interference bodies, you must still create a PAERO1 physical property table for the software to correctly export the CAERO1 panel.

Working with an aerodynamic panel mesh

The software stores the meshes that the Aero Panel command generates in an Aero Panel node in the Simulation Navigator.

An aerodynamic panel mesh is FE-based and is not associated with the underlying geometry. The software does not update FE-based meshes if the underlying part geometry is modified. With an Aero Panel mesh, the software tracks the locations of Point 1 and Point 4 that you specify to define the leading and trailing edge of the lifting surface. If the location of one or both of those points changes, the software marks the mesh as update pending.

The software stores the options and settings you use to create an aerodynamic panel mesh. If you edit the mesh and change a setting, such as the element type or offset distance, the software recreates the mesh with the new settings.

Validating aerodynamic panel meshes

You can use the Aero Mesh Check command to validate aerodynamic panel meshes before you solve your model. For more information, see Checking aerodynamic panel meshes.

Where do I find it?

Aero Panel command

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisite	A FEM file as the work part and displayed partSimcenter Nastran as the specified solverStructural as the specified analysis type
Command Finder	Aero Panel

PAERO1 physical property table

Application	Pre/Post
Prerequisite	A FEM file as the work part and displayed partSimcenter Nastran as the specified solverStructural as the specified analysis type
Command Finder	Physical Properties
Location in dialog box	Type→PAERO1

Learn more

Creating meshes for Nastran aeroelasticity analyses

Creating aerodynamic body meshes

Checking aerodynamic panel meshes

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Command reference

Pre/Post video examples

Bulk Entry Descriptions

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Creating aerodynamic panel meshes, Simcenter 3D 2021.1 Series

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