# Aircraft Propulsion Systems Simulation

Optimize aircraft propulsion with SIMULIA solutions to improve engine performance, reduce aeroacoustic noise, and ensure reliable turbomachinery integration.

(SIMULIA Turbomachines & Aircraft Propulsion)Designing the Next Generation of Aircraft Propulsion

Modern aircraft engines are being pushed to deliver more with less. Fuel efficiency targets are rising, noise and emissions limits are tightening, and production must scale faster, all while development costs and time-on-wing expectations continue to climb.

This level of performance cannot be achieved through single-discipline optimization or late-stage validation. Turbomachinery design now demands high-fidelity, multiphysics simulation from concept through certification.

SIMULIA brings aerodynamics, [structural simulation](/products/simulia/structural-simulation "Opens internal link in current window"), acoustics, and thermal analysis together on the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform, enabling propulsion manufacturers to make confident design decisions, reduce certification risk, and compress development timelines without compromising performance or compliance.

Key Benefits of SIMULIA's Turbomachine & Aircraft Propulsion Solutions

Simulation-Driven Design

 ![](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2025-07/icon-182-simulate-blue-rvb.png)

Simulation Governance and Digital Continuity

 ![](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2023-02/icon-300-quality-visibility.png)

MODSIM Integration

 ![](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2021-01/icon-414-collaboration.png)

Advanced Solvers

 ![](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2025-09/icon-295-best-control.png)

## SIMULIA Customers in Turbomachine & Aircraft Propulsion

(SIMULIA Turbomachine & Aircraft Propulsion)Turbomachine Aero-Acoustics

Aircraft engines have become quieter with each new generation, but stricter noise targets from NASA, ACARE, and ICAO demand further reductions. As the primary source of flight noise, engine manufacturers must address fan and jet noise early to meet future community and certification requirements.

SIMULIA delivers a unique high-fidelity simulation workflow to predict aerodynamic noise in the bypass region. A detailed digital model of the aircraft engine enables the generation of accurate tonal predictions, as well as all interactions leading to broadband noise, in a single simulation.

[Turbomachine Aero-Acoustics](/media/18259)

(SIMULIA Turbomachine & Aircraft Propulsion)Aircraft Engine Integration

Aircraft engines function as part of a complex “system of systems,” where components like the pylon, nacelle, and thrust reverser impact both the engine and airframe. Integration challenges are compounded by model size, complexity, and late-stage flight test measurements.

SIMULIA provides comprehensive simulation capabilities to identify integration issues early, reducing costly late-stage redesigns. Current tools support crosswind effects, pylon performance, and jet/high-lift interactions. This image highlights a thrust reverser case study using **high-fidelity flow simulation**.

[Aircraft Engine Integration](/media/18260)

Turbomachine & Aircraft Propulsion Workflows

Fluids(Panel of bricks Propulsion workflow)

Aerodynamics Defense

Airborne defense solutions require advanced designs to perform at the **edge of the flight envelope**.

**Key Capabilities include:**

- Early-phase aerodynamic evaluation with SIMULIA’s Lattice Boltzmann CFD solver
- Simulations for **propeller wake-wing-flap interactions**
- **Rotor-rotor interactions** for multicopter UAS
- **Engine intake distortion** analysis
- **Crosswind and ground effect** simulations
- **Engine integration** analysis
- **Prototype-free optimization** for flight dynamics and mission performance

[Aerodynamics defense](/media/23565)

Aerodynamics Generic

**Engine performance** is critical for thrust, fuel efficiency, and flight flexibility.

**Key Capabilities include:**

- Optimization of **propulsion performance** with SIMULIA’s Lattice Boltzmann CFD solver
- **Open rotor performance analysis**
- **Propeller wake-wing-flap** interactions for transport aircraft
- **Propeller integration on VTOL**
- Crosswind and ground effect simulations
- Simulation of **complex unsteady flows** (recirculation, cavity flows, vortex advection, wake propagation) before prototyping for optimal flight dynamics

[Aerodynamics Generic](/media/23566)

Aeroacoustics

**Acoustic signatures** influence UAS detectability, rotorcraft survivability, and airport noise compliance.

**Key Capabilities include:**

- Prediction of **trailing edge, fan, and propeller noise**
- Analysis of **rotor-stator interactions**
- **Engine-on-wing** and integrated propulsion simulations with SIMULIA’s Lattice Boltzmann CFD solver
- Early **acoustic design validation** and reduced full-scale testing
- Accurate results for **unsteady aerodynamic phenomena** up to Mach 1.4

[Aeroacoustics](/media/23567)

Aerothermal

**Brayton cycle machines** require precise thermal management for durability and performance.

**Key Capabilities include:**

- **Aerothermal simulations** with Dassault Systèmes SIMULIA Fluids solution
- Conjugate **heat transfer** for optimal material limits and durability
- **Support for workflows** from feature design to full engine assessments
- **Film cooling** and **cooling feature design** (turbulators, ribs, pins)
- **Impinging jets** and **rotating cavity cooling**
- **Engine soak** and **ventilated cavity cooling**
- Advanced co-simulations with **thermal models for radiation** and complex thermal scenarios

[Aerothermal](/media/23577)

Structure(Panel of bricks Propulsion workflow)

Whole Engine Thermo-Mechanical Modelling

**Whole Engine thermo-mechanical modeling** balances accuracy and efficiency for complex assembly analysis.

**Key Capabilities include:**

- **Axisymmetric finite element analysis** for assembly interference and preload
- **Transient temperature response modeling** (conduction, convection, advection, radiation)
- Stress, strain, and deformation predictions for **durability and damage tolerance**
- Handling large assemblies and **multi-step assembly interference**
- Robust **contact interaction resolution** with Abaqus/CAE and Abaqus software
- **General contact** for holistic Whole Engine Model treatment
- Efficient monitoring of **inter-component clearance**s with ‘soft’ pressure-overclosure relationships

[Whole Engine Thermo-Mechanical Modelling](/media/23568)

Component Level Analysis

**Detailed 3D analysis** ensures precision in component integrity, durability, and dynamic response.

**Key Capabilities include:**

- **Stress, strain, and deformation predictions** for integrity, durability and damage tolerance
- **Frequency extraction and linear dynamics** for Campbell and Interference Diagrams
- **Harmonic forced response** anticipation
- Robust **modeling of complex assemblies** with Abaqus/CAE and Abaqus software, such as cyclic symmetry and assembly interactions
- Advanced **contact capabilities** for frictional and non-frictional interfaces
- **Multi-step paradigm** for pre-stress effects in dynamic procedures
- Integrated **sub-model boundary constraints** and transient temporal mapping

[Component Level Analysis](/media/23569)

Rotordynamics

**Rotor dynamics analysis** ensures stability, critical speeds, and dynamic response of rotating systems.

**Key Capabilities include:**

- Assessment of **critical speeds, rotor whirl, and stability**
- **Steady-state harmonic response** (synchronous and asynchronous)
- **Time history transient** response analysis
- **Gyroscopic effects** across various elements (mass, rotary inertia, beams, solids, shells)
- Efficient modeling of **bearings and seals with connector elements**
- Abaqus/CAE plugin for **streamlined workflows** and a user-friendly experience

[Rotordynamics](/media/23570)

Crack Propagation and Fracture

**Advanced 3D analysis** is crucial for accurate crack propagation and fracture prediction.

**Key Capabilities:**

- Evaluation of **complex, spatially varying stress fields**
- **Crack onset analysis** using contour integrals
- **Crack propagation studies** assuming a predetermined **crack path and cohesive failure**, or by **Virtual Crack Closure Techniques**
- Arbitrary **crack onset and propagation** with Extended Finite Element (XFEM)
- **Fatigue crack growth analysis** using adaptive remeshing
- Industry best practices supported by Abaqus/CAE and Abaqus software suites

[Crack Propagation and Fracture](/media/23571)

MBS(Panel of bricks Propulsion workflow)

Rotordynamics

**Rotating machinery in airborne systems** requires high-fidelity modeling to ensure performance and stability.

**Key Capabilities:**

- **High-fidelity rotordynamics simulation** with Simpack multibody dynamics
- Rigid and flexible body modeling for **realistic deformation and vibration prediction**
- **Flexible-body capabilities** for shaft bending, blade elasticity, and structural coupling
- Simulation of rotating machinery with aircraft motion **beyond traditional 2D analysis**
- Specialized bearing libraries for **detailed modeling of bearings, gears, and couplings**
- Analysis of **rotor-bearing interactions**, critical speeds, unbalance response, and resonance phenomena
- **Transient event simulations** (run-up, run-down) with lubrication and non-linear contact effects

[Rotordynamics](/media/23837)

Flexbody modeling

**Multibody systems simulation** ranges from rigid-body to flexible-body modeling to enhance accuracy.

**Key Capabilities:**

- Seamless integration with Abaqus for **advanced MBS modeling**
- Flexible body technology for **non-linear deformation** and enhanced contact simulation
- **Modal response analysis** using mode shapes
- Improved mechanism analysis with f**lexbody representation**

[Flexbody modeling](/media/23572)

Gear pair analysis

**Gearboxes** play critical roles in propulsion systems for airborne applications.

**Key Capabilities:**

- **High-power planetary gearbox modeling** for fan rotation reduction
- Support for **engine auxiliary and helicopter gearboxes**, as well as electric engine gear trains
- **Multi-gear contact and contact gap/tolerance modeling** with Simulia Simpack
- **Flexible drivetrain** simulations
- **Noise, vibration, and harshness** (NVH) analysis

[Gear pair analysis](/media/23573)

Electromagnetics(Panel of bricks Propulsion workflow)

Electric Machines for Aircraft

Electrification transforms aviation with efficient, high-power electric motors and generators.

**Key Capabilities include:**

- **Topology and winding trade studies** with torque–speed and efficiency mapping
- Loss breakdown (copper/iron), saturation sensitivity, and demagnetization robustness checks
- **Transient and fault scenario analysis** (startup, load steps, short-circuits)
- **Electromagnetic noise and vibration** (e-NVH) performance analysis
- **Design variants with traceable assumptions** and manufacturability constraints
- Tools: **3D**EXPERIENCE platform, CST Studio Suite, Manatee, SIMULIA Opera, Abaqus, Simpack

**Benefits:**

- Earlier performance confidence
- Fewer redesign loops
- Smoother powertrain integration across aircraft classes

[Electric Machines for Aircraft](/media/23574)

Turbomachinery in Electromagnetic Environments

**Turbomachinery electronics** require robust protection against electromagnetic hazards.

**Key Capabilities:**

- **Lightning indirect-effects analysis** on engine/nacelle harnesses (induced currents/voltages, bonding)
- **HIRF susceptibility assessments** for nacelle equipment, sensors, and cable interfaces
- Shielding, grounding/bonding, and routing variant comparisons with **traceable setups**
- **Low-frequency induction** studies for magnetic components (e.g., generators, actuators)

**Tools:**

- **3D**EXPERIENCE platform, CST Studio Suite, EMC Wizard, Opera

**Benefits:**

- Earlier detection of electromagnetic issues
- Reduced late-stage troubleshooting
- Better-targeted and efficient physical testing

[Turbomachinery in Electromagnetic Environments](/media/23575)

## (Turbo machine IPE) Industry Processes for Turbomachine & Aircraft Propulsion

FAQs about Turbomachine & Aircraft Propulsion

How does unified licensing benefit propulsion engineering teams?

Unified licensing provides access to multiple simulation disciplines under a single scheme, simplifying deployment, scaling, and collaboration across propulsion programs.

Can SIMULIA handle large, complex engine assemblies and rotating machinery?

Yes. Abaqus and Simpack support whole-engine thermo-mechanical modeling, rotordynamics, flexible bodies, gear systems, fatigue, fracture, and durability analysis at scale.

How does SIMULIA ensure simulation governance and traceability?

Simulation data, methods, and results are managed on the **3D**EXPERIENCE platform, ensuring quality, traceability, and digital continuity across teams and domains.

How does SIMULIA address aircraft engine integration challenges?

SIMULIA enables early analysis of engine-airframe interactions, including pylon, nacelle, thrust reverser, crosswind, and jet-wing effects, minimizing costly integration issues discovered during flight testing.

Can SIMULIA help reduce engine noise early in development?

Yes. High-fidelity aeroacoustic simulation enables prediction and mitigation of fan, jet, propeller, and rotor noise from the earliest design stages, reducing late-stage redesign.

How does SIMULIA support simulation-driven turbomachinery design?

SIMULIA connects simulation directly to design through MODSIM and SPDM, enabling early trade studies, method reuse, change management, and faster, more informed decisions.

(Turbomachine & Aircraft Propulsion)Also Discover

[Commercial Aircraft Design](/products/simulia/aerospace-defense/commercial-aircraft-design)

[Defense Aircraft Design](/products/simulia/aerospace-defense/defense-aircraft-design)

Classic Landscape

(Contact Us - SIMULIA footer)Learn What SIMULIA Can Do for You

Speak with a SIMULIA expert to learn how our solutions enable seamless collaboration and sustainable innovation at organizations of every size.

[Contact us](/how-to-buy)

[Visit a user community](/products/simulia/user-communities)

(SIMULIA footer)Get Started

Courses and classes are available for students, academia, professionals and companies. Find the right SIMULIA training for you.

[Find training](/products/simulia/training)

(SIMULIA footer)Get Help

Find information on software & hardware certification, software downloads, user documentation, support contact and services offering

[Get support ](/support)

[Get services](/products/simulia/services-offering)

 ![Turbomachine & Aircraft Propulsion > Dassault Systemes](https://www.3ds.com/assets/invest/2025-12/turbobanner.webp)

[  Contact us     ](/how-to-buy)

[   Visit a SIMULIA user community     ](/products/simulia/user-communities)

Solutions by Industry