General question: .lod data structure OpenVSP 3.47

[Marco Palermo]

Hello,

I was checking out the latest VSP3.47 output files and I noticed there is no more .fem file while only .lod is present. I think the data present in the .fem was quite useful because it was reporting also general geometric information of the aerodynamic surfaces (LE, QC, TE data). Might be useful to have these information in the output file as well in future release.

Furthermore, it is not clear to me whether the .lod forces and moments are computed at quarter chord location of the strip, or at the avg coordinates reported in the .lod file. Where are the forces and moments computed? In case it is QC position, it would be required to report also the coordinates of such a point.

Note: The question is general. I run two simple tests using a general wing: once using VLM and another time using 3D Panel.

Thank you,

Marco

[Tad Chichester]

Marco,

I agree wholeheartedly with your comments regarding the usefulness of the data contained in the .fem file. It makes VSPAero a much more useful engineering tool, especially for the development of air loads for either design or certification purposes. I hope that the developers would consider bringing it back, otherwise we’re stuck with v3.44.5.

Tad Chichester 

RHL Consulting, LLC