A novel method for robust and efficient prediction of ice shedding from rotorcraft blades

TL;DR

This paper introduces a robust, efficient numerical method for predicting ice shedding from rotorcraft blades, combining ice shape simulation and interpolation to accurately determine shedding time and location, validated against experimental data.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel multi-step simulation tool that improves robustness and efficiency in predicting ice shedding on rotorcraft blades, integrating volume-mesh modeling and interpolation techniques.

Findings

Accurately predicts ice shedding time and location

Shows good agreement with experimental data

Enhances robustness of ice shedding simulations

Abstract

The safety of rotorcraft operating in cold environments is jeopardised by the possibility of ice accretion on the rotor blades. Eventually, ice can shed from the blade due to the high centrifugal forces and impact other parts of the rotorcraft or unbalance the rotor. To establish the shedding time and location for rotorcraft, a robust and efficent numerical multi-step icing simulations tool is presented here for predicting the shedding phenomenon. A volume-mesh based approach is used to allow for representing the ice shape. In order to increase the robustness of the method, an interpolation procedure is implemented which establishes the possible occurrence of the shedding event and restricts the search domain. Ice shapes along the blades are computed by means of two-dimensional ice accretion simulations: ice shapes are then interpolated over the blade span. Numerical results compares fairly well, in terms of shedding time and location, to the experimental ones obtained in the AERTS test facility, thus demonstrating the soundness of the present approach.