Aircraft Fuselage Recent Developments - A Review

Abstract

Over multiple iterations spanning many years of research a stable and aerodynamically workable fuselage structure has been zeroed down on. The fuselage being the segment holding the passengers and crew requires an immaculate degree of stability during takeoff, landing and flight. Aerodynamic optimisation presupposes every notion of this ‘in flight stability’. The recent interest taken in the field of stability under unforeseen air conditions has led to remarkable developments in the field of aerodynamics. This paper attempts to categorically classify these interests into 3 sections- Theoretical, Experimental and Numerical. Various mathematical models and algorithms have been created to study and test the stability of the fuselage under turbulent conditions caused by weather. Turbulence caused by on flight equipment (propellers etc) and methods for its mitigation have also been mentioned. The chine angle analysis of the fuselage reveals that a sharper angle is more favorable in increasing the lift. The study of asymmetrical vortices and its evolution has enhanced the field of aerodynamic optimization. Unconventional aircraft designs like the BWB are studied and compared against the incumbent structures. Various modeling softwares like CATIA have extensively been used to design these structures. A compilation of these recent developments has been presented to those attempting to intensively analyse and study the field of aerodynamic stability.