RCAIDE.Library.Plots.Aerodynamics.plot_aerodynamic_forces

plot_aerodynamic_forces

plot_aerodynamic_forces(results, save_figure=False, show_legend=True, save_filename='Aerodynamic_Forces', file_type='.png', width=11, height=7)

Creates a multi-panel visualization of aerodynamic forces throughout flight.

Parameters:

• results (Results) –

  RCAIDE results data structure containing:

  • segments[i].conditions.frames

    Frame data containing:

    • body.thrust_force_vector[:,0]

      Thrust force in body frame [N]

    • wind.force_vector[:,0]

      Drag force in wind frame [N]

    • wind.force_vector[:,2]

      Lift force in wind frame [N]

  • segments[i].conditions.energy

    Energy data containing:

    • power[:,0]

      Total power in watts

  • segments[i].conditions.frames.inertial.time[:,0]

    Time history for each segment

  • segments[i].tag

    Segment identifier string

• save_figure (bool, optional) – Flag for saving the figure (default: False)

• show_legend (bool, optional) – Flag to display segment legend (default: True)

• save_filename (str, optional) – Name of file for saved figure (default: “Aerodynamic_Forces”)

• file_type (str, optional) – File extension for saved figure (default: “.png”)

• width (float, optional) – Figure width in inches (default: 11)

• height (float, optional) – Figure height in inches (default: 7)

Returns:

fig

Return type:

matplotlib.figure.Figure

Notes

Creates visualization showing:

• Aerodynamic force magnitudes

• Power requirements

• Force balance evolution

• Time history of forces

Definitions

‘Lift’

Force perpendicular to airflow

‘Drag’

Force parallel to airflow

‘Thrust’

Propulsive force

‘Power’

Rate of energy use

See also

RCAIDE.Library.Plots.Aerodynamics.plot_aerodynamic_coefficients

Non-dimensional force plots

RCAIDE.Library.Plots.Aerodynamics.plot_drag_components

Drag breakdown analysis