Elastodynamic Analysis of Aerial Refueling Hose Using Curved Beam Element

The elastodynamic analysis of an aerial refueling hose by classic cable theory suffers the singularity problem when the hose slackens under dynamic loadings. The difficulty is addressed and overcome by modeling the refueling hose with a new three-noded locking-free curved beam element. The large deformations and rotations of curved beams are formulated in terms of an updated Lagrangian framework with consistently coupled quintic polynomial displacement fields to satisfy the membrane locking-free condition. The stability and accuracy of the new element is validated by experiments involving an instrumented free-swinging steel cable. Good agreement is observed between the experimental results and the predictions of the new element. The numerical capability of modeling a refueling hose and drogue system has been demonstrated by simulating 1) the oscillation of hose due to the disturbance from the tanker and the vortex-induced velocity and 2) a receiver coupling with a hose reel malfunction. The analysis results show clearly the formation and propagation of oscillations along the hose, the consequent whipping near the drogue, and the associated variation of hose tension. The results of new element agree well with field observations and existing analysis results.

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