Multivariate interpolation for fluid-structure-interaction problems using radial basis functions

A multivariate interpolation scheme for coupling fluid (CFD) and structural models (FE) in three-dimensional space is presented using radial basis fun ctions. For the purpose of numerical aeroelastic computations, a selection of applicable functions is chosen: a classical without compact support, and some recently presented smooth compactly supported radial basis functions. The scheme is applied to a typical static aeroelastic problem, the predict ion of the equilibrium of an elastic wing model in transonic fluid flow. Th e resulting coupled field problem containing the fluid and the structural s tate equations is solved by applying a partitioned solution procedure. The structure is represented by finite elements and the related equations are s olved using a commercial FE analysis code. The transonic fluid flow is desc ribed by the three-dimensional Euler equations, solved by an upwind scheme procedure. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.