An efficient method for the aeroelastic analysis of wind effects on inflatable structures is
presented. The solution scheme is staggered and uses an explicit finite-element structural
solver and potential flow aerodynamics. In order to take into account the essential features of
the flow around blunt-shaped structures, a physics-based correction of the inviscid solution
is proposed. The procedure involves automatic prediction of the detached flow areas (using
Stratford's criterion) and an empirical modification of the calculated pressure field intended …