Publications & Research
Technical Publications
Pythias Numerics maintains an active research profile, contributing to the advancement of computational methods in aerospace engineering through peer-reviewed journal papers and international conference presentations.
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Validated methodologies published in international journals
International Conferences
Presentations at leading aerospace and aeroelastic forums
Methodology Development
Novel approaches bridging high fidelity and rapid analysis
- Quasi-3D aerodynamic approach combining 2D viscous data with lifting-surface methods
- Reduced structural model for aeroelastic coupling
- Multi-objective optimisation using NSGA-II
- Validation against KH3Y wind tunnel experimental data
- Reduced computational time to ~25 minutes per design versus hours for full RANS
- Achieved 1–2% improvements in maximum lift coefficient (CLmax) for landing configuration
- Validated aeroelastic coupling against experimental wing twist measurements
- Demonstrated accuracy appropriate for preliminary aircraft design studies
- Aerodynamic database approach derived from high-fidelity CFD simulations
- Beam-stick structural model extraction from detailed FEM representations
- Iterative aeroelastic coupling with sub-second convergence per iteration
- Target load distribution matching for aerodynamic and structural efficiency
Key Contributions
Reduced static coupling time from 60 hours to under 1 second
Multiple database approach for improved accuracy
Automated wing twist optimisation for target lift distributions
Integration with industrial design processes at Airbus
Impact
This work addresses the critical need for rapid methods in industrial aircraft design, enabling flexibility effects to be considered from the earliest design stages without the time penalty of full CFD-FEM coupling.
Research Areas
Current Focus
- Machine learning for aerodynamic surrogate modelling
- Geometric parameter-based neural networks for pressure prediction
- Store separation analysis methodologies
- Aerothermal analysis capabilities
- Aeroservoelastic modelling
Datasets & Benchmarks
- AIRFRANS dataset for ML training
- Blendednet aircraft configurations
- Industry validation cases
- Custom experimental databases
Academic Collaborations
University Partnerships
- Cranfield University - School of Engineering
- University of Bristol - Aerospace Engineering Department
- The Systems Centre, University of Bristol
Joint Research Projects
- EUROLIFT II (European high-lift programme)
- Various EngD (Engineering Doctorate) programmes
- Technology Strategy Board projects
Technical Expertise Areas
Based on our published research:
- Multi-objective optimisation algorithms (NSGA-II, MOTS)
- Panel-boundary layer coupling methods
- Lifting surface theory
- Reduced-order structural modelling
- Rapid aero-structural coupling
- High-lift aerodynamics
- Flexible wing design
- CFD validation methodologies
Downloads
[Technical papers available upon request for collaboration purposes]
Contact us to discuss:
- Research collaborations
- PhD/EngD co-supervision opportunities
- Joint funding proposals
- Technical workshops and seminars
