CFD analysis of a micro-rotor in ground effect

In this work computational fluid dynamics is validated using experimental results for a model rotor In Ground Effect. The paper concentrates on the evaluation and prediction of the performance of the rotors and on the outwash generated In Ground Effect. Finally, safety considerations in terms of outflow forces and particles in the flowfield are presented, comparing the results with other safety, distance based criteria. Using data of three different aircraft, scaling factors have been used to take into account the different size of the small-rotor studied and real case scenarios. The results show how heavier helicopters may generate the most dangerous situations, in terms of induced forces and presence of particles in a delimited area.