Aerodynamic interaction between next generation aircraft engines and wings

The primary goal of this PhD work is to understand the impact of the next generation of aircraft engines on the performance of the wing high-lift devices, i.e. the leading edge slat, trailing edge flaps and spoilers. 

There are several candidates for the next generation of aircraft engines in order to reduce the environmental impact of air travel. One such candidate is an open rotor engine (e.g. the CFM International RISE programme). This engine is planned to support both hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuels. There is an aerodynamic and aeroacoustic impact of such an engine on the wing that is not currently fully understood due to the interaction with wake of the rotor. This is the topic that is investigated in this PhD using a combination of wind tunnel tests, numerical simulations and analytical methods.

The experiments will be performed using the state-of-the-art 3.5m x 2.4m x 10.5m and 2.1m x 1.5m x 4.4m wind tunnel facilities at the University of Southampton. The numerical simulations will involve Large Eddy Simulations (LES) using a Lattice Bolztmann solver. The project will suit a student with strong analytical skills as well as some experience in wind tunnel experiments and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).

The outcome of the project will be a more fundamental understanding of the underlying aerodynamic mechanisms responsible for the noise sources with the next generation of future aircraft propulsion types. 

This PhD studentship will provide an excellent opportunity to work closely and collaborate with one of the largest aerospace companies in the world, Airbus, and explore relevant problems in the aerospace industry for future aircraft with less of an environmental impact.