Analyzing a blended wing-body with both VLM and panel method

[Cindy Chen]

Hello, I noticed that from OpenVSP 3.45.0 onwards, components can be modelled as thick or thin. I am trying to model and analyze a BWB with a thick centerbody section and thin wings -- both as Wing components. However, the centerbody and wing must be defined in different sets in order to use both VLM and panel method for analysis. How can attach a WingGeom to another -- similar to mating components in CAD? The screenshot attached shows what I am trying to do, where the red WingGeom is the thin wing and the blue WingGeom is the thick centerbody.

Thanks in advance.

[Rob McDonald]

It might work if you make the two align perfectly.  This could be made relatively simple by attachment.

However, I wouldn't recommend it.  I would just use either all thick or all thin for a BWB configuration.  I suspect you won't see as much difference as you would think -- for the configuration pictured, all thin would work fine.

Rob

[Cindy Chen]

The screenshot I showed was just for illustrative purposes. Attached is the actual geometry I want to analyze using VLM for the wings and winglet and panel method for the body.