Computational Mechanics in Aerospace Engineering: Progress and Future Directions
Keywords:
Computational Mechanics, Multi-Physics Interactions, Fluid Dynamics, Finite Element Analysis (FEA)Abstract
Computational mechanics has revolutionized aerospace engineering by enabling accurate simulations of structural behavior, fluid dynamics, and multi-physics interactions, leading to advancements in aircraft, spacecraft, and propulsion system design. With the development of high-fidelity numerical methods, high-performance computing (HPC), and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven modeling, engineers can now analyze and optimize aerospace systems with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency.
This review explores key developments in finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and multi-disciplinary design optimization (MDO), highlighting their impact on aerodynamic efficiency, structural integrity, and thermal management. Additionally, machine learning (ML)-assisted simulations, digital twins, and uncertainty quantification are transforming predictive modeling and real-time decision-making in aerospace applications. The integration of quantum computing and reduced-order modeling techniques further enhances computational performance for large-scale aerospace problems.
Despite these advancements, challenges such as computational cost, turbulence modeling accuracy, model validation, and real-time predictive capabilities remain critical areas of research. Addressing these challenges will require innovations in multi-scale modeling, physics-informed neural networks, and adaptive mesh refinement. This article outlines future research directions aimed at improving computational efficiency and accuracy, ensuring that next-generation aerospace technologies meet evolving industry demands for safety, sustainability, and performance.
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