Analysis of the performance of a 1/4.71 model-scale and full-scale Sikorsky S-76 main rotor in hover is presented using the multi-block computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver of Glasgow University. For the model-scale blade, three different tip shapes were compared for a range of collective pitch and tip Mach numbers. It was found that the anhedral tip provided the highest Figure of Merit. Rigid and elastic full-scale S-76 rotor blades were investigated using a loosely coupled CFD/Computational Structural Dynamics (CSD) method. Results showed that aeroelastic effects were more significant for high thrust cases. Finally, an acoustic study was performed in the tip-path-plane of both rotors, showing good agreement in the thickness and loading noise with the theory. For the anhedral tip of the model-scale blade, a reduction of 5% of the noise level was predicted. The overall good agreement with the theory and experimental data demonstrated the capability of the present CFD method to predict rotor flows accurately.

The use of active trailing edge flaps on rotors may lead to performance benefits as well as noise and vibration reduction. In this work, computational fluid dynamics, using the HMB2 solver, is used to assess the effect of the trailing edge flaps on the whole flight domain of a modern main rotor. Starting from a baseline blade design, multiple techniques are demonstrated. The flap is first assessed using 2D pitching aerofoil simulations, followed by dMdt simulations, that account for the simultaneous variations of pitch and Mach around the azimuth. It was shown that enhanced lift was obtained while inspection of the moment coefficient showed negative damping for the flap for a limited set of conditions. Due to the 2D formulation, dMdt computations are fast to perform and can be used to inform codes predicting the rotor performance. The flap was then assessed in hover, and only allowed for limited improvement in blade performance at high thrust. In forward flight, the flap was actuated at a frequency of 1 per revolution, and was found to have a strong effect on the loads on the retreating side. The effect on the moments was even stronger. The flight envelope of the blade was explored, and clean and flapped cases were compared. The most noticeable changes occur at high and medium thrust. The CFD method was found to be efficient and robust, without any substantial penalties in CPU time, due to the flap modelling, over the tested conditions.