Vehicle dynamics and flight mechanics

Research focus

The Peer review has evaluated this group as Average

This research theme is concerned with the vehicle, and specifically with its dynamics (both in the air and on the ground), with its operation (including logistics, human factors, maintenance and flight testing), and its history. The research in the field of vehicle dynamics is primarily concerned with rotorcraft flight mechanics. Specifically, new numerical procedures were developed under the support of governmental and industrial entities in Italy and abroad, for the simulation of maneuvers of rotorcraft vehicles. The current capabilities cover vehicle models ranging from classical reduced-order flight mechanics models to fine-scale aero-servoelastic ones, with specific optimized simulation technologies tailored to each vehicle model class. The mathematical tools and their software implementations augment existing vehicle models with sophisticated control tools (including model-based planners and adaptive trackers, and non-linear model identification procedures) which allow the analyst to explore the full flight envelope of the vehicle in a simulation environment. This activity has culminated in the first simulation reported in the literature of a Category A emergency take-off after an engine failure conducted with a comprehensive aero-servo-elastic helicopter model. The technology developed in the area of model-based control and identification, has recently been applied to unmanned systems, a relatively new area of investigation for DIA which is not covered by the current reporting period. The research in the field of vehicle ground maneuvers has been active at DIA since the middle of the eighties; recently, the attention has been focused on the simulation of the vehicle on the ground (including landing, braking, steering, the analysis of shimmy and gear walking, and of the interaction between anti-skid control systems and structural dynamics) and on the set-up of experimental facilities. A tower was designed and implemented to carry out drop tests, and a rolling drum is used to reproduce the actual operative conditions of the wheel, including the effects of lift; the facility can also be used for shimmy or braking system testing. The level attained by the experimental capabilities is testified by a continuous cooperation with aerospace companies. The simulation capabilities have also witnessed a parallel and significant growth, especially in the field of braking systems which are fully integrated with the aircraft dynamics in the modeling tools, and the characterization of friction forces for tire and brake models. Research on the vehicle operation has touched several aspects, including air transportation logistics, human factors, maintenance and flight testing. Specifically, the future development of air transportation has been studied both from the land and the airside points of view, paying special attention to safety and security, and considering cost/benefit trade-offs. In fact, the growth of traffic is a formidable challenge for the current air traffic organization, particularly in Europe, where new creative solutions need to be identified due to the high level of urbanization. From the land-side point of view, studies have been conducted on the optimization of airport filters like check-in desks, personnel controls, police checks and gates. From the air-side point of view, the work has focused on the optimization of ground movements of aircraft and vehicles. Human factors represent one of the most promising areas of research in the effort to increase aviation safety. In this arena, the activity at DIA has been primarily focused on the field of aircraft maintenance. The reporting, both mandatory and voluntary, of bad practices that have caused only minor incidents (as opposed to accidents), is considered one of the most powerful measures to effectively increase safety. Consistent protocols based on a unique and thorough taxonomy for accident reporting have been proposed, which allow one for the effective use of the data. Furthermore, studies have been conducted to measure the effectiveness and cost of the barriers, both at the hardware and software levels, which prevent the occurrence of accidents. In the area of flight testing, the diffusion of a large number of ultra-light and home-built aircraft, subjected to much relaxed rules or not subjected at all to the aeronautical authority certification, has stimulated the design at DIA of ad-hoc innovative low-cost instrumentation, and the development of a standardized architecture in compliance with the CANAerospace protocol. The activity at DIA has not neglected the history of flight. The interest in aviation at the Politecnico di Milano dates back to one hundred and fifty years ago, and in fact we will celebrate the centennial of the first course in aeronautics in 2009. Historical research activities focus on the figure of Enrico Forlanini, who was instrumental in such an early start of the aeronautical studies at the Politecnico.

Dipartimento di afferenza

Dipartimento di Ingegneria Aerospaziale

Docenti afferenti

Franco Bernelli-Zazzera (Full Professor)
Marco Borri (Full Professor)
Gian Luca Ghiringhelli (Full Professor)
Luigi Puccinelli (Full Professor)
Carlo Luigi Bottasso (Associate Professor)
Cesare Cardani (Associate Professor)
Renato Picardi (Associate Professor)
Alberto Folchini (Assistant Professor)
Lorenzo Trainelli (Assistant Professor)