Analytical Modeling of Shrouded Rotors in Hover with Experimental and Computational Validation

Rotors have been utilized for aircraft propulsion since the dawn of aviation, but their performance can degrade significantly if not properly designed. This study focuses on developing an accurate design tool and model validation for shrouded rotors. An experimental test rig was designed and manufac...

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Main Authors: Abdallah Dayhoum, Alejandro Ramirez-Serrano, Robert J. Martinuzzi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Actuators
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/14/3/138
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author Abdallah Dayhoum
Alejandro Ramirez-Serrano
Robert J. Martinuzzi
author_facet Abdallah Dayhoum
Alejandro Ramirez-Serrano
Robert J. Martinuzzi
author_sort Abdallah Dayhoum
collection DOAJ
description Rotors have been utilized for aircraft propulsion since the dawn of aviation, but their performance can degrade significantly if not properly designed. This study focuses on developing an accurate design tool and model validation for shrouded rotors. An experimental test rig was designed and manufactured to measure the rotor thrust and total thrust separately as well as the rotor torque. A key aspect was to account for the impact of a test rig on experimental results using computational simulations for the shrouded rotor configuration with and without the test rig. The findings indicate that the effects of the test rig were minimal and could be neglected, ensuring the validity of the experimental data compared to the analytical model. The analytical model employs a hybrid approach combining blade element momentum theory (BEMT) and the sphere-cap model which are used in conjunction with the shrouded rotor inflow ratio, as well as post-stall and tip gap clearance models. BEMT is used to calculate rotor performance, while the sphere-cap model addresses the aerodynamic influence of the shroud. The results demonstrate that the analytical model predicts shrouded rotor performance with considerable accuracy, addressing both the rotor dynamics and the shroud’s contribution to performance.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2076-0825
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Actuators
spelling doaj-art-d29831a7f83249549fe661bceeb0de302025-08-20T03:40:41ZengMDPI AGActuators2076-08252025-03-0114313810.3390/act14030138Analytical Modeling of Shrouded Rotors in Hover with Experimental and Computational ValidationAbdallah Dayhoum0Alejandro Ramirez-Serrano1Robert J. Martinuzzi2Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaMechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaMechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, CanadaRotors have been utilized for aircraft propulsion since the dawn of aviation, but their performance can degrade significantly if not properly designed. This study focuses on developing an accurate design tool and model validation for shrouded rotors. An experimental test rig was designed and manufactured to measure the rotor thrust and total thrust separately as well as the rotor torque. A key aspect was to account for the impact of a test rig on experimental results using computational simulations for the shrouded rotor configuration with and without the test rig. The findings indicate that the effects of the test rig were minimal and could be neglected, ensuring the validity of the experimental data compared to the analytical model. The analytical model employs a hybrid approach combining blade element momentum theory (BEMT) and the sphere-cap model which are used in conjunction with the shrouded rotor inflow ratio, as well as post-stall and tip gap clearance models. BEMT is used to calculate rotor performance, while the sphere-cap model addresses the aerodynamic influence of the shroud. The results demonstrate that the analytical model predicts shrouded rotor performance with considerable accuracy, addressing both the rotor dynamics and the shroud’s contribution to performance.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/14/3/138number of bladesshrouded rotoropen rotorsexperimental aerodynamics
spellingShingle Abdallah Dayhoum
Alejandro Ramirez-Serrano
Robert J. Martinuzzi
Analytical Modeling of Shrouded Rotors in Hover with Experimental and Computational Validation
Actuators
number of blades
shrouded rotor
open rotors
experimental aerodynamics
title Analytical Modeling of Shrouded Rotors in Hover with Experimental and Computational Validation
title_full Analytical Modeling of Shrouded Rotors in Hover with Experimental and Computational Validation
title_fullStr Analytical Modeling of Shrouded Rotors in Hover with Experimental and Computational Validation
title_full_unstemmed Analytical Modeling of Shrouded Rotors in Hover with Experimental and Computational Validation
title_short Analytical Modeling of Shrouded Rotors in Hover with Experimental and Computational Validation
title_sort analytical modeling of shrouded rotors in hover with experimental and computational validation
topic number of blades
shrouded rotor
open rotors
experimental aerodynamics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/14/3/138
work_keys_str_mv AT abdallahdayhoum analyticalmodelingofshroudedrotorsinhoverwithexperimentalandcomputationalvalidation
AT alejandroramirezserrano analyticalmodelingofshroudedrotorsinhoverwithexperimentalandcomputationalvalidation
AT robertjmartinuzzi analyticalmodelingofshroudedrotorsinhoverwithexperimentalandcomputationalvalidation