.. _python_API_rotorcraft:

.. currentmodule:: flow360

**************************
Rotorcraft
**************************

Flow360 provides specialized capabilities for rotorcraft aerodynamics simulations, enabling accurate prediction of complex flow phenomena associated with helicopter rotors, propellers, and tiltrotors. This section covers advanced modeling approaches for rotary-wing applications.

.. grid:: 1

    .. grid-item-card:: 🔄 Blade Element Theory (BET) Disk Model
        :link: bet_disk
        :link-type: doc
        
        Learn how to implement and configure the Blade Element Theory disk model for efficient rotor simulations without resolving individual blades.

    .. grid-item-card:: 🛩️ DDES Simulation of XV-15 Tiltrotor
        :link: rans_xv15
        :link-type: doc
        
        Explore a detailed DDES simulation of the XV-15 tiltrotor aircraft, demonstrating advanced rotorcraft modeling techniques.

Key Rotorcraft Simulation Concepts
===============================

* Blade Element Theory for efficient rotor modeling
* Rotating reference frames for detailed blade-resolved simulations
* Handling of unsteady rotor aerodynamics
* Wake capturing and vortex modeling
* Rotor-airframe and rotor-rotor interactions
* Performance prediction and optimization

Applications
==========

Flow360's rotorcraft simulation capabilities support a wide range of applications:

* Hover performance prediction
* Forward flight analysis
* Blade loading and stress analysis
* Rotor wake interactions
* Acoustic prediction
* Design optimization of rotor systems

Modeling Approaches
================

Flow360 supports multiple approaches for rotorcraft simulation:

**Blade Element Theory (BET) Disk Model:**
* Represents the rotor as a disk with distributed forces
* Computationally efficient for preliminary design
* Suitable for studying rotor wake effects on other components

**Fully-Resolved Blade Simulations:**
* Detailed modeling of individual rotor blades
* Captures blade-vortex interactions and detailed flow features
* Provides high-fidelity predictions of performance and acoustics


.. toctree::
   :hidden:

   bet_disk
   ddes_xv15