Analysis of a Rotor Blade System using Blade Element Momentum Theory

Version 1.1.0.0 (3.11 KB) by Stephen Bell
Function to calculate the Power, Thrust and Figure of Merit of a rotor system.
3.8
(4)
10.1K Downloads
Updated 6 Oct 2009

View License

The function is based on the mathematical treatment of rotating rotors in "Principles of Helicopter Aerodynamics" by Dr. J.Gordon Leishman

The numerical method does this by using Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT) to calculate the inflow along the length of the blade, then using that inflow and Lifting Line theory to calculate the local lift and drag on the blade.

The thrust and power are then calculated from the local values and summed along the length of the blades to give the totals.

This numerical method works for multiple blade configurations through the input parameter BChar, which is detailed in the header of the m-file.

This function has been used to form the basis of an optimisation problem used in the preliminary design of a rotary wing UAV.

Cite As

Stephen Bell (2024). Analysis of a Rotor Blade System using Blade Element Momentum Theory (https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/fileexchange/21994-analysis-of-a-rotor-blade-system-using-blade-element-momentum-theory), MATLAB Central File Exchange. Retrieved .

MATLAB Release Compatibility
Created with R14SP1
Compatible with any release
Platform Compatibility
Windows macOS Linux

Community Treasure Hunt

Find the treasures in MATLAB Central and discover how the community can help you!

Start Hunting!

Version Published Release Notes
1.1.0.0

Updated to include an initialisation and run file that demonstrates how to call the function. Also corrected a minor bug in the code.
1.0.0.0