Trim Analysis of Highly Flexible Aircraft via a Coupled DG-VLM Framework
Elisa TESTAQUATRA, Vincenzo GULIZZI
Abstract. An original computational framework for the trim analysis of highly-flexible aircraft is presented in this work. The framework is based on the combination of a discontinuous Galerkin (DG) method and a non-planar Vortex Lattice Method (VLM). The DG method is employed for solving three-dimensional finite-strain, whereas the non-planar VLM is employed for solving potential-flow aerodynamics of the deformed structure. The DG-VLM coupling is performed by considering the forces generated by the vortexes as energetically equivalent to body forces acting on the structure. The framework is validated by considering the finite-strain response of a cantilever beam, the finite-strain response of a highly flexible wing, and the angle of attack and elevator deflection at longitudinal trim condition of an aircraft featuring the same highly flexible wing.
Keywords
Flexible Aircraft, Hyperelasticity, Nonlinear Trim, Discontinuous Galerkin Method, Vortex Lattice Method
Published online 7/20/2026, 6 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Elisa TESTAQUATRA, Vincenzo GULIZZI, Trim Analysis of Highly Flexible Aircraft via a Coupled DG-VLM Framework, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 69, pp 390-395, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904251-71
The article was published as article 71 of the book CEAS – AIDAA Conference 2025
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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