Donald B. Bliss

Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Associate Professor of the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Donald B. Bliss Profile Photo

Research Interests

Fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, acoustics, and structural dynamics

Bio

Professor Bliss has broad research interests in fluid mechanics, aerodynamics, acoustics, and structural dynamics. His work emphasizes improved understandings of physical phenomena and the development of innovative ways to solve important engineering problems. Professor Bliss recently developed a general analysis method called Analytical/Numerical matching (ANM) that combines numerical and analytical solutions to gain accuracy and computational efficiency. ANM is currently being applied to a variety of problems in aerodynamics and structural acoustics.

Much of Professor Bliss' research on fluid flows involves the aerodynamics of lifting surfaces and vortex wakes. For helicopter wakes he has developed curved vortex elements, constant vorticity contour wake models, and influence coefficient techniques. In collaboration with a private company, these have been incorporated into commercially available computer programs used by industry and government to predict helicopter performance, vibration, and noise. Currently, ANM is being used to develop a new unified treatment of lifting surfaces and wakes in unsteady compressible flow. Professor Bliss is also developing a new vortex roll-up analysis, and using ANM to study helicopter blade/vortex interaction.

In acoustics, Professor Bliss' primary effort is in the application of ANM to structural acoustics, particularly to acoustic scattering from submerged elastic bodies with structural discontinuities. He has also developed a method called Alternate Resonance Tuning (ART) to prevent low frequency sound transmission into flexible wall enclosures, with applications to aircraft interior noise. He also conducts research on mathematical homogenization applied to structural acoustic systems, and on general boundary conditions for bulk-reacting sound absorbing surfaces.

Education

B.S.E. Princeton University, 1968
M.S. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1970
Ph.D. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1973

Positions

Associate Professor of the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Courses Taught

ME 676: Advanced Acoustics
ME 592: Research Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering or Material Science
ME 591: Research Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering or Material Science
ME 572: Engineering Acoustics
ME 571: Aerodynamics
ME 536: Compressible Fluid Flow
ME 492: Special Projects in Mechanical Engineering
ME 491: Special Projects in Mechanical Engineering
ME 472: Aircraft Performance

Publications

Su K, Bliss D. A numerical study of tilt-based wake steering using a hybrid free-wake method. Wind Energy. 2020 Feb 1;23(2):258–73.
Raudales D, Bliss DB, Michalis KA, Rouse JW, Franzoni LP. Benchmark analytical solutions for steady state high frequency broadband sound fields in three rectangular enclosures. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 2019 Apr;145(4):2601.
Su K, Bliss D. A novel hybrid free-wake model for wind turbine performance and wake evolution. Renewable Energy. 2019 Feb 1;131:977–92.
Su K, Bliss DB. A hybrid free wake simulation comparison of turbine wake steering with innovative turbine designs. In: Proceedings of the ASME Turbo Expo. 2017.
Su K, Bliss D. Wind farm performance improvement by using wake transport. In: Annual Forum Proceedings - AHS International. 2016. p. 3498–509.
Dowell EH, Bliss DB. Erratum: New look at unsteady supersonic potential flow aerodynamics and piston theory (AIAA Journal (2013) 51:9 (2278-2281)). AIAA Journal. 2015 Jan 1;53(8):2419.
Dowell EH, Bliss DB. New look at unsteady supersonic potential flow aerodynamics and piston theory. AIAA Journal. 2013 Sep 1;51(9):2278–81.
Bliss D, Franzoni L, Michalis K. Characterization of high frequency radiation from panels subject to broadband excitation. 2008 Proceedings of the NoiseCon/ASME NCAD, NCAD 2008. 2009 Oct 16;357–61.
Michalis K, Bliss D, Franzoni L. Prediction and modification of broadband interior noise in enclosures using energy-intensity bem and absorption scaling. 2008 Proceedings of the NoiseCon/ASME NCAD, NCAD 2008. 2009 Oct 16;339–47.
He Q, Bliss DB, Franzoni L. Noise reduction strategies using multi-element flexible structures. 2008 Proceedings of the NoiseCon/ASME NCAD, NCAD 2008. 2009 Oct 16;373–83.
Burton LJ, Bliss DB, Franzoni LP. Sound attenuation and prediction of porous media properties in hybrid ducts utilizing spatially periodic area changes. 2008 Proceedings of the NoiseCon/ASME NCAD, NCAD 2008. 2009 Oct 16;363–71.
Burton LJ, Bliss DB, Franzoni LP. Sound attenuation and prediction of porous media properties in hybrid ducts utilizing spatially periodic area changes. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Noise Control and Acoustics Division (Publication) NCAD. 2008 Dec 1;363–71.
Michalis K, Bliss D, Franzoni L. Prediction and modification of broadband interior noise in enclosures using energy-intensity bem and absorption scaling. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Noise Control and Acoustics Division (Publication) NCAD. 2008 Dec 1;339–47.
He Q, Bliss DB, Franzoni L. Noise reduction strategies using multi-element flexible structures. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Noise Control and Acoustics Division (Publication) NCAD. 2008 Dec 1;373–82.
Bliss D, Franzoni L, Michalis K. Characterization of high frequency radiation from panels subject to broadband excitation. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Noise Control and Acoustics Division (Publication) NCAD. 2008 Dec 1;357–61.
Bliss DB, Rouse JW, Franzoni LP. Prediction of broadband sound fields in enclosures by decomposition in powers of an absorption parameter. 12th International Congress on Sound and Vibration 2005, ICSV 2005. 2005 Dec 1;2:1213–20.
Bliss D, Danilov P. Vibro-acoustic behavior of finite-length fluid-loaded periodic structures using local-global homogenization. 12th International Congress on Sound and Vibration 2005, ICSV 2005. 2005 Dec 1;6:5088–95.
Bliss DB, Nesbitt JR, Danilov PV. Theoretical and experimental study of sound propagation in ducts with spatially periodic area changes. 12th International Congress on Sound and Vibration 2005, ICSV 2005. 2005 Dec 1;3:2366–73.
Park CD, Franzoni LP, Bliss DB. Analytical-numerical matching for fluid-loaded structures with discontinuities. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 2004 Nov 1;116(5):2956–68.
Danilov P, Bliss D. Local/global homogenization of fluid-loaded periodic structures. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 2004 Aug 1;116(2):879–90.
Bliss D, Danilov P. The development of novel vibration resistant structures through the use of coupled multi-element configurations. Proceedings of the Tenth International Congress on Sound and Vibration. 2003 Dec 1;581–8.
Franzoni LP, Bliss DB, Park CD. Efficient calculation of vibration and radiation from fluid-loaded structures with discontinuities using analytical-numerical matching. Proceedings of the Tenth International Congress on Sound and Vibration. 2003 Dec 1;1555–62.
Danilov P, Bliss D. Calculation of the radiated sound field from a fluid-loaded plate with periodic structural discontinuities. Proceedings of the Tenth International Congress on Sound and Vibration. 2003 Dec 1;4885–92.
Dowell EH, Bliss DB, Clark RL. Aeroelastic wing with leading- and trailing-edge control surfaces. Journal of Aircraft. 2003 Jan 1;40(3):559–65.
Franzoni LP, Bliss DB, Rouse JW. An acoustic boundary element method based on energy and intensity variables for prediction of high-frequency broadband sound fields. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 2001 Dec 29;110(6):3071–80.
Franzoni L, Bliss D, Rouse J. Energy based boundary element method for broadband high frequency sound fields. 6th Aeroacoustics Conference and Exhibit. 2000 Dec 1;
Franzoni L, Bliss D. An estimate of airframe noise caused by structural vibration. 6th Aeroacoustics Conference and Exhibit. 2000 Dec 1;
Franzoni L, Bliss D, Rouse J. Energy based boundary element method for broadband high frequency sound fields. In: 6th Aeroacoustics Conference and Exhibit. 2000.
Franzoni L, Bliss D. An estimate of airframe noise caused by structural vibration. In: 6th Aeroacoustics Conference and Exhibit. 2000.
Loftman RC, Bliss DB. Scattering from fluid-loaded cylindrical shell with periodic circumferential constraints using analytical/numerical matching. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 1999 Sep 1;106(3 I):1271–83.
Epstein RJ, Bliss DB. Wake Generation Compressibility Effects in Unsteady Aerodynamics. AIAA Journal. 1999 Jan 1;37(2–3):393–6.
Rule JA, Epstein RJ, Bliss DB. Unsteady compressible boundary element calculations of parallel blade-vortex interaction. Journal of the American Helicopter Society. 1999 Jan 1;44(4):302–11.
Franzoni LP, Bliss DB. A discussion of modal uncoupling and an approximate closed-form solution for weakly coupled systems with application to acoustics. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 1998 Apr 1;103(4):1923–32.
Loftman RC, Bliss DB. Analytical/numerical matching for efficient calculation of scattering from cylindrical shells with lengthwise constraints. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 1998 Apr 1;103(4):1885–96.
Epstein RJ, Rule JA, Bliss DB. Unsteady compressible boundary element calculations of parallel blade-vortex interaction. In: 36th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit. 1998.
Epstein RJ, Rule JA, Bliss DB. Unsteady compressible boundary element calculations of parallel blade-vortex interaction. In: 36th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit. 1998.
Epstein RJ, Rule JA, Bliss DB. Unsteady compressible boundary element calculations of parallel blade-vortex interaction. In: 36th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit. 1998.
Rule JA, Bliss DB. Prediction of viscous trailing vortex structure from basic loading parameters. AIAA Journal. 1998 Jan 1;36(2):208–18.
Loftman RC, Bliss DB. The application of analytical/numerical matching to structural discontinuities in structural/acoustic problems. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 1997 Feb 1;101(2):925–35.
Epstein RJ, Rule JA, Bliss DB. Novel method for calculating two-dimensional blade vortex interaction. AIAA Journal. 1997 Jan 1;35(5):909–12.
Rule JA, Epstein RJ, Bliss DB. An analytical/numerical matching – Turbulent core model blade vortex intertaction study. In: 3rd AIAA/CEAS Aeroacoustics Conference. 1997. p. 898–908.
Epstein RJ, Bliss DB. An acoustic boundary element method using analytical/numerical matching. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 1997 Jan 1;101(1):92–106.
Epstein RJ, Bliss DB. Aeroacoustic boundary element method using analytical/numerical matching. AIAA Journal. 1997 Jan 1;35(2):244–54.
Rule JA, Bliss DB. Prediction of turbulent trailing vortex structure from basic loading parameters. In: 14th Applied Aerodynamics Conference. 1996. p. 932–42.
Bliss DB, Epstein RJ. Novel approach to aerodynamic analysis using analytical/numerical matching. AIAA Journal. 1996 Jan 1;34(11):2225–32.
Rule JA, Bliss DB. Prediction of turbulent trailing vortex structure for rotorcraft blade-vortex interaction. Annual Forum Proceedings - American Helicopter Society. 1995 Dec 1;2:1254–6.
Bliss DB, Epsteint RJ. A novel approach to aerodynamic analysis using analytical/numerical matching. In: 13th Applied Aerodynamics Conference. 1995. p. 626–39.
Epstein RJ, Bliss DB. Free vortex calculations using analytical/numerical matching with solution pyramiding. AIAA Journal. 1995 Jan 1;33(5):894–903.
Epstein RJ, Bliss DB. Alternative solution of the kernel function in subsonic unsteady lifting surface theory. AIAA Journal. 1995 Jan 1;33(11):2228–30.
Quackenbush TR, Lam CMG, Bliss DB. Vortex methods for the computational analysis of rotor/body interaction. Journal of the American Helicopter Society. 1994 Jan 1;39(4):14–24.
Quackenbush TR, Lam C-MG, Wachspress DA, Bliss DB. Analysis of high resolution unsteady airloads for helicopter rotor blades. Annual Forum Proceedings - American Helicopter Society. 1994;2:1233–48.
Bliss DB, Miller WO. Efficient free wake calculations using analytical/numerical matching. Journal of the American Helicopter Society. 1993 Jan 1;38(2):43–52.
Miller WO, Bliss DB. Direct periodic solutions of rotor free wake calculations. Journal of the American Helicopter Society. 1993 Jan 1;38(2):53–60.
Quackenbush TR, Lam CMG, Bliss DB, Katz A. Vortex methods for the computational analysis of rotor/body interaction. Annual Forum Proceedings - American Helicopter Society. 1992 Dec 1;1:475–88.
Bliss DB, Srinivasan R. Application of a two-scale perturbation theory to panel/frame structural-acoustics. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Noise Control and Acoustics Division (Publication) NCA. 1991 Dec 1;12:267–77.
Mahajan AJ, Dowell EH, Bliss DB. Eigenvalue calculation procedure for an Euler/Navier-Stokes solver with application to flows over airfoils. Journal of Computational Physics. 1991 Jan 1;97(2):398–413.
Mahajan AJ, Dowell EH, Bliss DB. Role of artificial viscosity in Euler and Navier-Stokes solvers. AIAA Journal. 1991 Jan 1;29(4):555–9.
Quackenbush TR, Bliss DB. Prediction of high-resolution flowfields for rotorcraft aeroacoustics. AIAA Journal. 1991 Jan 1;29(11):1778–86.
Quackenbush TR, Bliss DB. Free wake flow field calculations for rotorcraft interactional aerodynamics. Vertica. 1990 Dec 1;14(3):313–27.
Felker FF, Quackenbush TR, Bliss DB, Light JS. Comparisons of predicted and measured rotor performance in hover using a new free wake analysis. Vertica. 1990 Dec 1;14(3):361–83.
Bliss DB. Analysis of sound transmission through flexible panel/frame walls. American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Noise Control and Acoustics Division (Publication) NCA. 1990 Dec 1;9:25–35.
Miller WO, Bliss DB. Direct periodic solutions of rotor free wake calculations by inversion of a linear periodic system. Annual Forum Proceedings - American Helicopter Society. 1990 May 1;2:757–69.
Quackenbush TR, Bliss DB, Lam CMG, Katz A. New vortex/surface interaction methods for the prediction of wake-induced airframe loads. Annual Forum Proceedings - American Helicopter Society. 1990 May 1;2:1099–110.
Bliss DB, Miller WO. Vortex filament calculations by analytical/numerical matching with comparison to other methods. In: 9th Computational Fluid Dynamics Conference, 1989. 1989.
Mahajan AJ, Dowell EH, Bliss DB. On the role of artificial viscosity in Navier-Stokes solvers. In: 9th Computational Fluid Dynamics Conference, 1989. 1989.
Quackenbush TR, Bliss DB, Wachspress DA. New free-wake analysis of rotorcraft hover performance using influence coefficients. Journal of Aircraft. 1989 Jan 1;26(12):1090–7.
Bliss DB, Teske ME, Quackenbush TR. NEW METHODOLOGY FOR FREE WAKE ANALYSIS USING CURVED VORTEX ELEMENTS. 1987 Dec 1;
Bliss DB, Dadone L, Wachspress DA. ROTOR WAKE MODELING FOR HIGH SPEED APPLICATIONS. Annual Forum Proceedings - American Helicopter Society. 1987 Dec 1;1:17–33.
Bliss DB, Wachspress DA, Quackenbush TR. NEW APPROACH TO THE FREE WAKE PROBLEM FOR HOVERING ROTORS. Annual Forum Proceedings - American Helicopter Society. 1985 Dec 1;2 .(41 st):463–77.
Bliss Donald B, Wachspress Daniel A, Quackenbush Todd R. NEW APPROACH TO THE FREE WAKE PROBLEM FOR HOVERING ROTORS. Annual Forum Proceedings - American Helicopter Society. 1985;2(41st):463–77.
Bliss DB, Lu PJ. Wind tunnel wall interference. 1984 Jan 1;
Bliss DB, Lu PJ. Wind tunnel wall interference. 1984 Jan 1;
Bliss DB, Burke SE. Experimental investigation of the bulk reaction boundary condition. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 1982 Mar 1;71(3):546–51.
Bliss DB. Study of bulk reacting porous sound absorbers and a new boundary condition for thin porous layers. Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 1982 Mar 1;71(3):533–45.
Bliss DB, Quackenbush TR, Teske ME. Computational simulation of high-speed steady homogeneous two-phase flow in complex piping systems. Journal of Pressure Vessel Technology, Transactions of the ASME. 1982 Jan 1;104(4):272–7.
Bliss DB, Quackenbush TR, Teske ME. Computational simulation of high speed steady homogeneous two-phase flow in complex piping systems. 1982 Jan 1;
Bliss DB. Effect of unsteady forcing on the sinusoidal instability of vortex wakes. Journal of Aircraft. 1982 Jan 1;19(9):713–21.
Bliss DB. Aerodynamic behavior of a slender slot in a wind tunnel wall. AIAA Journal. 1982 Jan 1;20(9):1244–52.
Bliss DB, Quackenbush TR, Teske ME. Computational simulation of high speed steady homogeneous two-phase flow in complex piping systems. 1982 Jan 1;
Dowell EH, Chao C-F, Bliss DB. Absorption material mounted on a moving wall-Fluid/wall boundary condition. J Acoust Soc Am (USA). 1981;70(1):244–5.
Chao CF, Dowell EH, Bliss DB. MODAL ANALYSIS OF INTERIOR NOISE FIELDS. Semiconductor International. 1981 Jan 1;29–56.
Dowell EH, Chao CF, Bliss DB. ACOUSTOELASTICITY: REVIEW AND EXTENSION. Ammonia Plant Safety (and Related Facilities). 1980 Jan 1;2:377–402.
Ungar EE, Mark WD, Bliss DB. Prediction of wind responses of tall open truss structures. S V Sound and Vibration. 1974 Oct 1;8(10):22–5.
Widnall SE, Bliss DB, Tsai CY. The instability of short waves on a vortex ring. Journal of Fluid Mechanics. 1974 Jan 1;66(1):35–47.
WIDNALL SE, BLISS DB. SELF-INDUCED MOTION AND STABILITY OF CONCENTRATED VORTEX FILAMENTS. 1974 Jan 1;1974.
WIDNALL SE, BLISS DB. SELF-INDUCED MOTION AND STABILITY OF CONCENTRATED VORTEX FILAMENTS. 1974 Jan 1;((1974)).
Widnall SE, Bliss DB. SELF-INDUCED MOTION AND STABILITY OF CONCENTRATED VORTEX FILAMENTS. Arch Mech - Arch Mech Stosow. 1974 Jan 1;26(3):459–78.
Widnall SE, Bliss DB, Tsai CY. INSTABILITY OF SHORT WAVES ON A VORTEX RING. Journal of Fluid Mechanics. 1974;66(Part 1):35–47.
Heller HH, Bliss DB, Widnall SE. Incipient stall detection through unsteady-pressure monitoring on aircraft wings. Journal of Aircraft. 1972 Jan 1;9(2):186–8.
Widnall SE, Bliss DB. Slender-body analysis of the motion and stability of a vortex filament containing an axial flow. J Fluid Mech (UK). 1971;50:335–53.
Bliss DB. Time sharing-powerful tool for small shops. Tool Manuf Eng (USA). 1969;62(2):22–5.

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