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6 of VSAERO
James K. Nathman
Director of VSAERO Development
July 2012
Version 7.6 of VSAERO supersedes Version 7.4. (Version 7.5 was limited to
improvements in the frequency domain module.) This release consists of the updated code with
improvements described below, a Version 7.6 Users Manual, and 60 testcases (three new).
Version 7.6 has been tested for 144 cases under the Linux 2.4 and Windows XP operating
systems.
DOUBLE PRECISION
Version 7.6 is released in two precisions: 32-bit and 64-bit precisions. As the number of
panels in a model inevitably increases, the ratio of smallest panel to largest panel increases,
which requires more precision. 64-bit operating systems with large amounts of memory are
more common, so the penalty for double precision arithmetic is not as significant as was in the
past. However, some matrix solvers are not yet available in double precision and the 64-bit
version will require a year of service before it can be regarded as thoroughly tested.
Wakes for propellers at low advance ratios also can benefit from a different
discretization. At low advance ratio, the thrust of a propeller will cause the slipstream to
contract, but constant-x grid planes can generate a spurious tip vortex trajectory that increases in
radius. With constant-azimuth grid planes (HELREL=2), the spurious trajectory is absent.
WAKE SQUEEZE
SQUEEZE has been limited to airfoils defined by a complete section. Wake-separations
defined at the edges of different patches could not be improved by SQUEEZE. Version 7.6
allows wakes (instead of patches) to be squeezed with SQEEZW, instead of SQEEZ for
patches. The matching and spacing of the separation-line paneling are available without
restriction as to how the patches involved are sectioned. However, closing an open trailing edge
is not available.
ERRORS FIXED
The number of wake grid planes was incorrectly counted, which could lead to VSAERO
terminating because the number of grid planes exceeded the limit when the input was within
capacity.
Boundary layer transition when momentum Reynolds number reaches 200 (ITRIP=3)
works properly again in the Nash & Hicks boundary layer.
A divide by zero in determining the velocity/pressure on an unstructured panel adjacent
to a structured patch has been eliminated.
Frequency domain calculations for compressible cases now correctly include symmetry
(RSYM=0.).
New Testcases
Lb435_blwit calculates the boundary layer simultaneously with the wake relaxation.
Lb435_nogrid bypasses the constant-x grid plane description of the wake and uses the
input corner points as wake panel corners.