An aerodynamic model is made up of a collection of lifting surfaces and, optionally, bodies. In FlightLoads terminology, each individual lifting surface or body is an Aero Group. A SuperGroup is then a collection of these Groups into a model (Aerodynamic Configuration) that is to be used for analysis. The model database can contain any number of SuperGroups. The user must then identify which SuperGroup is being used in the current analysis (see Aeroelastic Model definition in the Aeroelasticity module). FlightLoads uses a default SuperGroup if the user has not explicitly created one.

When Model Management is selected, the first form displayed is Create/SuperGroup/Flat Plate. Shown adjacent to this form are all the different possible Actions, Objects, and Methods for Model Management:

Most of the Model Management forms are shown and annotated in the following pages, grouped by Object as follows:

A SuperGroup is the name of an aerodynamic model which is a collection of Aero Groups. Any number of SuperGroups can be defined in a single database. Aero Groups cannot be shared by SuperGroups. A SuperGroup name is limited to 8 characters; this name is used to qualify model data, by configuration, on an MSC.Nastran Aerodynamic or Aeroelastic Database and corresponds to the “AECONFIG” Case Control name in MSC.Nastran subcases.

Aero Groups are individual aerodynamic surface or body macroelements. (In MSC.Nastran terminology, these are CAERO1 or CAERO2 bulk data entries.)

Orphan Groups are Aero Groups that are not assigned to any SuperGroup. This can happen, for example, if a SuperGroup is deleted.

This subsection provides annotated illustrations for the Model Management forms. Note that the Type for all of these forms is Flat Plate which refers to the Doublet Lattice/ZONA51 aerodynamic modeling methods that are characterized as being 2D panel methods (flat surfaces in 3D-space) as opposed to 3D methods (general surfaces in 3-space). The 3D version of the form is exactly the same as the Flat Plate versions shown on the next few pages. The available set of forms are:

SuperGroup Forms:

Aero Groups Forms:

Orphan Groups Forms:

This form allows the user to provide a name for the SuperGroup that is meaningful within the design task. The components (Aero Groups) that make up the SuperGroup can also be identified. If this form is not invoked, the default SuperGroup name (AeroSG2D, for Aerodynamics SuperGroup 2D and AeroSG3D, for Aerodynamics SuperGroup 3D) is used and all of the Aero Groups automatically belong to this Group.

This form (not shown) deletes the selected SuperGroup(s). The associated Aero Groups are not deleted but become "Orphan". The current SuperGroup does not appear within the Select SuperGroup(s) box and cannot be deleted.

Note: Only SuperGroups of the given type are displayed within the select SuperGroup(s) box.

This form allows the user to change the Aero Group members in the selected SuperGroup. After the user selects from the existing SuperGroups, the form displays all the available Aero Groups with the current members highlighted. If a member is deselected, it becomes an "Orphan". If a member is selected, it becomes part of the SuperGroup and is removed from any SuperGroup it currently resides in and it loses its current "Orphan" status. If the name of an existing SuperGroup is to be modified, the user can either enter the desired new name or select the old name from existing SuperGroups and modify it within the New Name box.

This form (not shown), displays which Aero Groups are associated with the selected SuperGroup.

This form lists all the created SuperGroups and highlights the current SuperGroup. The user can now choose to set another Current SuperGroup.

MSC.FlightLoads and Dynamics completely manages all Aero Groups and SuperGroups, including their contents. These Groups are, however, also available under the Group application in MSC.Patran but SHOULD NOT BE CHANGED THERE. In the situation where an Aero Group becomes modified, this form allows the user to restore the Aero Groups.

If there are orphaned Aero Groups, they can either be placed in the Current SuperGroup or left as orphans, depending on the selection of the "Assign Orphans to SuperGroup" toggle.

This form allows the user to view any Orphan Aero Groups. These can be subsequently reassigned to a SuperGroup.