Aerodynamics Analysis of Helicopter Rotor in Flight Test Using Strain Gauge Sensors

The acquisition of aerodynamic loads on helicopter rotors is fundamental to the study of helicopter performance optimization, structural design, flight control, and other aspects. However, at present, aerodynamic loads on rotors are primarily obtained through theoretical calculations, simulation ana...

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Main Authors: Shuaike Jiao, Jiahong Zheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1911
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author Shuaike Jiao
Jiahong Zheng
author_facet Shuaike Jiao
Jiahong Zheng
author_sort Shuaike Jiao
collection DOAJ
description The acquisition of aerodynamic loads on helicopter rotors is fundamental to the study of helicopter performance optimization, structural design, flight control, and other aspects. However, at present, aerodynamic loads on rotors are primarily obtained through theoretical calculations, simulation analysis, and wind tunnel tests, with few reports on flight measurements. This paper proposes a method for obtaining helicopter rotor aerodynamic loads by flapping moment measurements in flight with strain gauge sensors. First, strain gauge sensors are installed at different cross-sectional positions on the rotor blades to measure strain during flight. Then, the strains are incorporated into the blade flapping motion equations to establish the relationship between rotor aerodynamic loads and flapping moment. Finally, the aerodynamic loads on the rotor are calculated by the relationship. This method can provide more accurate load calculation results compared to simulation computations and wind tunnel tests. In this paper, the distribution patterns of rotor aerodynamic loads were investigated, which aligned with theoretical analysis and can offer valuable insights for blade design optimization.
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institution DOAJ
issn 1424-8220
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publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Sensors
spelling doaj-art-5fec103bfef84bd5996cc15cf004bcfb2025-08-20T02:43:07ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-03-01256191110.3390/s25061911Aerodynamics Analysis of Helicopter Rotor in Flight Test Using Strain Gauge SensorsShuaike Jiao0Jiahong Zheng1Chinese Flight Test Establishment, Xi’an 710089, ChinaChinese Flight Test Establishment, Xi’an 710089, ChinaThe acquisition of aerodynamic loads on helicopter rotors is fundamental to the study of helicopter performance optimization, structural design, flight control, and other aspects. However, at present, aerodynamic loads on rotors are primarily obtained through theoretical calculations, simulation analysis, and wind tunnel tests, with few reports on flight measurements. This paper proposes a method for obtaining helicopter rotor aerodynamic loads by flapping moment measurements in flight with strain gauge sensors. First, strain gauge sensors are installed at different cross-sectional positions on the rotor blades to measure strain during flight. Then, the strains are incorporated into the blade flapping motion equations to establish the relationship between rotor aerodynamic loads and flapping moment. Finally, the aerodynamic loads on the rotor are calculated by the relationship. This method can provide more accurate load calculation results compared to simulation computations and wind tunnel tests. In this paper, the distribution patterns of rotor aerodynamic loads were investigated, which aligned with theoretical analysis and can offer valuable insights for blade design optimization.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1911strain gauge sensorsflight testhelicopter rotorflapping momentequivalent aerodynamic force
spellingShingle Shuaike Jiao
Jiahong Zheng
Aerodynamics Analysis of Helicopter Rotor in Flight Test Using Strain Gauge Sensors
Sensors
strain gauge sensors
flight test
helicopter rotor
flapping moment
equivalent aerodynamic force
title Aerodynamics Analysis of Helicopter Rotor in Flight Test Using Strain Gauge Sensors
title_full Aerodynamics Analysis of Helicopter Rotor in Flight Test Using Strain Gauge Sensors
title_fullStr Aerodynamics Analysis of Helicopter Rotor in Flight Test Using Strain Gauge Sensors
title_full_unstemmed Aerodynamics Analysis of Helicopter Rotor in Flight Test Using Strain Gauge Sensors
title_short Aerodynamics Analysis of Helicopter Rotor in Flight Test Using Strain Gauge Sensors
title_sort aerodynamics analysis of helicopter rotor in flight test using strain gauge sensors
topic strain gauge sensors
flight test
helicopter rotor
flapping moment
equivalent aerodynamic force
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/6/1911
work_keys_str_mv AT shuaikejiao aerodynamicsanalysisofhelicopterrotorinflighttestusingstraingaugesensors
AT jiahongzheng aerodynamicsanalysisofhelicopterrotorinflighttestusingstraingaugesensors